Wiranto denies mocking Rhoma

JAKARTA. Chairman of the People’s Conscience (Hanura) Party Gen. (ret) Wiranto denied he had insulted self-styled king of dangdut Rhoma Irama with regards to his plan to run in the 2014 presidential election.

Member of the Hanura central board Susaningtyas Nefo Kertapati said that Wiranto was not known for insulting people.

“I have known him for more than 20 years and he does not have that trait,” Susaningtyas said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Wiranto also apologized to the National Awakening Party (PKB) if his statement was deemed derogatory.

In a discussion held by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Wiranto said that Rhoma could set a bad precedent in the presidential election.

“Today a dangdut singer is nominated as president. What’s next? A comedian or circus dancer. This is why corruption is rampant,” Wiranto said.

PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar said that the candidacy of Rhoma was no joke and he called on rival political parties to take it seriously.