Indonesia’s government is pushing back after conservative Muslim politician Amien Rais (AH-mee-en RYE-iss) accused a top presidential aide of being gay in a controversial YouTube video. Rais (RYE-iss) claimed Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya (Eendra- Vee- Jaya) had become “personally closer” to President Prabowo Subianto (Prah-BOH-woh Soo-bee-AHN-toh) and called him a threat to the nation.
He urged the president to replace Teddy with a “normal figure.” The video was later removed following a government legal complaint. Amnesty International Indonesia also condemned the remarks as discriminatory. Executive director Usman Hamid said, “There is no scientific link between lesbian or gay sexual orientation and the inability to lead, nor that it damages public morals.” Neither Teddy nor President Prabowo has publicly commented.
