Paspampres Denies Evicting Congregation During Gibran’s Friday Prayer in Semarang
Viral Video Shows Gibran Rakabuming Raka at Mosque, Paspampres Clarifies “Saf Adjustment”
Semarang, Indonesia – A video circulating online sparked controversy, appearing to show congregants being pushed aside as Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka prepared to pray at a mosque in Semarang. The Paspampres (Presidential Security Forces) has since clarified the situation, stating there was no intention to evict anyone.
The video, widely shared on social media, depicts Paspampres personnel asking individuals to shift their positions as Gibran stood in the prayer line.
Brigjen Samson Sitohang, Deputy Commander of Paspampres, addressed the incident, emphasizing that there was no eviction. He explained that the personnel were simply adjusting the prayer line to accommodate more people.
“It wasn’t a matter of pushing anyone aside, let alone eviction,” Sitohang told reporters. “Our officers were simply rearranging the prayer line to create more space for other personnel.”
Sitohang also pointed out that a figure seen standing in the video, initially misidentified as a displaced congregant, was actually another Paspampres member.”That person standing in the TikTok video is actually one of our own officers,” Sitohang clarified. “He was stationed there to reserve a spot for other officials.”
He stressed that such incidents are not uncommon adn that Vice President Rakabuming consistently emphasizes a humane approach towards the public.
“These things happen sometimes,” Sitohang said. “But the Vice President always reminds us to be respectful and prioritize the needs of the community.”
Sitohang cited examples of Rakabuming’s commitment to public courtesy, noting that his motorcade always stops at red lights and refrains from using sirens to minimize disruption to other drivers.
He reiterated that the individual asked to move was indeed a Paspampres member strategically positioned to ensure the Vice President and other officials had a designated space in the prayer line.
“He was placed there in advance to ensure the Vice President and the Governor had a spot when they arrived,” Sitohang explained. “It wasn’t the front row, but rather somewhere in the middle, around the fourth row.”
Paspampres Explains Viral Video of Vice President at Mosque
Semarang, Indonesia – Following the circulation of a video showing Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka at a mosque in Semarang, the Paspampres (Presidential Security Forces) has issued a clarification regarding the actions of its personnel. The video, which went viral on social media, appeared to depict congregants being pushed aside to make way for the Vice President as he prepared to pray.
Brigjen Samson Sitohang, Deputy Commander of Paspampres, emphasized that there was no intention to evict anyone from the prayer line. Instead, he explained that officers were simply adjusting the line to accommodate more people.
Sitohang further clarified that an individual seen standing in the video, initially mistaken as a displaced congregant, was actually another Paspampres member. He explained that this officer was stationed there to reserve a spot for other officials.
The Deputy Commander highlighted Vice president RakabumingS consistent emphasis on humane treatment of the public, citing examples such as the motorcade’s practice of stopping at red lights and refraining from siren use.
Sitohang stressed that the individual asked to move was indeed a Paspampres member strategically positioned to ensure designated space for the Vice President and other officials within the prayer line. He clarified that the reserved spot was not in the front row but rather around the fourth row.