Teacher Fired After Questioning Governor Ridwan Kamil on Instagram

Liputan6.com, Bandung - A teacher from Cirebon, West Java Province, was fired after giving a cheeky question to his governor: Ridwan Kamil. His comment also incited online bullying from Ridwan Kamil's sympathizers on Instagram.

Muhammad Sabil (34) was a teacher at a vocational school in Cirebon. Sabil's comment was touching political issue, although relatively harmless. He merely asked the governor whether he was showing up as a governor or a party member when communicating virtually with junior high school students.

On that occasion, the governor was seen wearing a yellow suit, the color of Golkar Party that he recently joined as the 2024 elections are approaching.

Ridwan Kamil uploaded the conversation on his Instagram and Sabil commented.

"In this zoom, are you a governor, a party member, or Ridwan Kamil personally?" said Sabil.

"What do you think?" Governor Ridwan Kamil replied.

Both men spoke in Sundanese which is the regional language of West Java.

But the encounter did not stop there. The tech-savvy governor apparently pinned Sabil's comment. As a result, the teacher became target of cyberbullying and hostile messages. His school was also targeted by the cyberbullies.

"Many netizens' comments were offensive, whether on RK's post, even my IG's post, up to tagging the institution where I worked with harsh words," said Sabil to Liputan6.com.

Ridwan Kamil is known for his strong social media presence with 20 million followers on Instagram. and 5.4 millions on Twitter. He used to be active on Twitter but now more active on Instagram. 

Sabil said his case was discussed by his higher-ups, before he was suddenly fired. 

"The school immediately had a meeting and the school was asked by the Agency Branch Office to revoke my Basic Education Data from the school where I taught," said Sabil.

The Agency Branch Office is part of the provincial education agency that handles the high schools and vocational schools. Meanwhile, Basic Education Data is a part of requirements to teach in Indonesia.

Sabil said he only commented as a citizen. He protested the political nuance of Ridwan Kamil's attire because he was around school students.

"RK was wearing a yellow suit in school. He forgot that he was engaging with the school's environment," said Sabil.

The headmaster of Manbaul Ulum Vocational School, Abdul Hakim, refused to be interviewed. But he admitted that he revoked Sabil's education data.

"As ordered by the higher-up," said Abdul Hakim.

The head of the Service Branch Office in Cirebon could not be reached for comment. His staff said he is currently out of the city.

Ridwan Kamil Requests the Teacher to Be Reinstated

In the latest update, Governor Ridwan Kamil said he was surprised when he heard that Sabil was fired, although the governor said Sabil was using rude language in Sundanese when asking the question. 

On his Instagram, the governor said leaders must always accept criticism.

"A leader must be open for criticism although sometimes addressed rudely. Thousands criticism have come, and always I respond in relaxed and nonchalant manner. Sometimes responded with scientific explanation, sometimes replied with just joking," said Ridwan Kamil. 

The governor said that he only expected the teacher to be reprimanded, not fired. After knowing the news that Sabil was fired, Ridwan Kamil called the related institution which fired Sabil, so the teacher could be reinstated.

"I have contacted the school/foundation, so it is enough for the person to be just advised and reminded, no need to be sacked," said Kamil.

Ridwan Kamil also asks parents, teachers, and leaders to patiently teach people to be courteous on social media.

Update: Adding Governor Ridwan Kamil's new statement to reinstate the teacher.

Andry Haryanto and Muhammad Ali contributed to this article.