Gus Hilmi Firdausi: Being criticized is even said to be muddying the atmosphere

FAJAR.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) scholar, Gus Hilmi Firdausi, criticized the government’s attitude in responding to public criticism regarding the handling of the flood disaster which was considered slow.

He emphasized that the criticism conveyed by the public was considered unethical and was said to be an attempt to muddy the waters.

Gus Hilmi said that this criticism was born of people’s concern about the situation on the ground, not to make the situation worse.

For him, it is natural for the public to urge the government to be more serious and raise the status of the disaster in order to speed up handling.

“People criticize the government’s slow work in dealing with disasters and ask for disaster status to be increased, but they say it is making the situation worse,” said Gus Hilmi at X @hilmi28 (21/12/2025).

Gus Hilmi said, when the space for criticism is limited or misunderstood, society can ultimately only rely on spiritual strength.

“Yes, we will just complain to the Almighty Creator, the one who holds everything,” he said.

Furthermore, Gus Hilmi reminded the government not to underestimate the voices and prayers of the community, especially those directly affected by the disaster.

He emphasized that the prayers of people in conditions of oppression have great moral and spiritual power.

“Don’t underestimate my brother’s prayers, especially the prayers of those who have been oppressed,” he said.

Previously, the Founder of Awak Media Indonesia (AMI) Group, Azzam Mujahid Izzulhaq, reviewed Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya’s statement regarding the handling of flood and landslide disasters that hit a number of areas in Sumatra, including Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.