VP Candidate Gibran Told Pregnant Women to Drink Sulfuric Acid, He Later Apologized

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - VP candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of President Joko Widodo, advised pregnant women to drink sulfuric acid to improve the baby's health. Gibran apparently meant to say folic acid.

Sulfuric acid is a corrosive substance.

Gibran made the remark during a public discussion in South Jakarta on Sunday when he spoke about nutrition for pregnant mothers.

"During pregnancy it must be checked. For example, the sulfuric acid, yodium, are they fulfilled?" said Gibran. The video went viral on social media.

One day later, the young politician apologized and said that he meant folic acid.

"What did I say yesterday? OK, OK, sorry. Please correct it," he clarified.

Folic acid is important for pregnant mothers to prevent anemia and miscarriage. It also lowers the risk of preeclampsia.

Gibran, 36-year-old, is a father of two. He is the youngest politician in the 2024 presidential election, running with Minister for Defense Prabowo Subianto.

Until two months ago, Gibran was not allowed to join the presidential election due to his age limit. But the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Anwar Usman, Gibran's uncle, agreed to revise that law in a controversial ruling. Anwar was then removed as the chief of justice, but his decision still stands.