REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PURWAKARTA -- Democratic Party general chairman and also former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) said people have the rights to critic the government. Therefore, government should not be allergic to critic.

"The government has to minimize issuance of public statement that sounds like a threat, because the power should not be use to frighten but to protect," SBY said in a written statement received by Republika.co.id on Wednesday (21/3).

His statement came as a response to polemic between between National Mandate Party (PAN) Honorary Council Amien Rais and Coordinationg Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B Panjaitan. He said the two leaders of the nations should reconcile and settle the problem with kinship.

SBY assessed the government should not be anti-critic. More over, if the critic was delivered properly and supported by concrete data. 

"The government should not be arrogant in responding criticism," he remarked. 

SBY reminded the country was built not to be a state of power. The sovereignty is on the people's hand. "On the other hand, the people also should not be absolute, " he said. 

SBY shared his experience during 10 years of tenure. He remembered critics to his government were harsher than critics to the current ruling government. However, SBY able to finish his term as mandated.

Earlier, Amien criticized the government by accusing there was a deception in the land certification program. He said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s effort to intensify the distribution of land certificate was resorted to trickery.

Meanwhile, Luhut denied Amien's allegation He explained the land certification was a long and time consuming process.

In an online media. Luhut strongly denied Amien's critic. He also claimed to have the track record of the figure whom he said a senior and 70-years old.

"Don't criticize carelessly, I know your track record. If you feel the most clean, you may talk. You have a lot of sins, so be quiet. Don't play games. If you did, we could seek your sin. Who are you anyway?," Luhut said.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika