‘Covid-19 is Like Your Wife’: Indonesian Minister Slammed Worldwide for His Sexist Claims

Okay, even if he’s having some trouble with his spouse back home, this is a really weird and offensive statement to make, let alone by someone with such a high ranking!

A senior minister from our neighbouring country Indonesia has been slammed worldwide after he made a rather perplexing comparison about the scathing Coronavirus pandemic. According to ABC News, Indonesia’s Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD during a livestream likened the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 to a husband’s control over his wife. Err, what? 

Get this, during an event that was streamed on Youtube, the senior minister decided to read out loud a meme that he recieved a day prior:

“Yesterday, I received a meme which said, ‘Corona is like your wife. Initially, you try to control it, then you realise you can’t. Then you learn to live with it’…”

Obviously, Mahmud MD, age 63, wanted to be ‘cool’ with the kids by sharing memes but this particular one is rather inappropriate, don’t you think? In fact, it’s so blatantly offensive that his comment has since made its rounds internationally and denounced by women’s rights groups everywhere.

The secretary-general of the Indonesian Women’s Coalition, Mike Verawati Tangka referred to Mr Mahfud’s comment as not only “misogynistic”, but also out of touch. She further asserted:

“It shows he doesn’t have a clear understanding of the seriousness, the gravity and the urgency of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia.”

Vetawati further expressed her disappointment that views towards equality and perspectives towards women in Indonesia are still riddled with bias and patriarchy.

Previously, according to the Jakarta Post, Mahmud compared the country’s efforts to adjust to the post-coronavirus reality to being married to a woman. He has yet to comment on the controversy as of this writeup.

What do you guys think of the whole controversy? What actions should be taken against Mahmud for this inappropriate joke? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Also read: Indonesian Influencer Auctions Virginity Starting At RM591,000 For COVID-19 Relief!