Najwa Shihab Attacked by TikTok Users for Calling Jokowi 'Riding Along' on the TNI AU Plane, Here's the Chronology!

Kapanlagi.com - KLovers, there's some hot news in the TikTok world! Journalist and presenter Najwa Shihab suddenly became the center of attention and received a lot of harsh comments from netizens, but this time not because of her investigative reporting. The story goes that in a broadcast on her YouTube channel released on Sunday (20/10), Najwa made a remark about President Jokowi, whom she referred to as 'riding along' on the TNI AU plane. Although she immediately clarified her statement, netizens on TikTok continued to discuss the remark enthusiastically.

So here's the thing, KLovers, after officially ending his term, Jokowi indeed returned to Solo with First Lady Iriana. Instead of taking a commercial flight, he returned on a TNI AU Boeing 737-800 Next Gen, which was even escorted by eight fighter jets. While casually chatting on YouTube, Najwa mentioned Jokowi 'riding along' on the TNI AU, which she quickly clarified as 'being escorted directly'.

Let's review the complete chronology!

1. Chronology of Najwa Shihab's Criticism on TikTok

(source: instagram/@najwashihab)

Not long after the video aired, Najwa's remarks were widely discussed by netizens, especially on the TikTok platform. Many TikTok users felt that Najwa's statement was inappropriate and deemed the comment condescending. They believed the remark did not respect the former president who is still honored, which sparked anger among TikTok users.

Several prominent TikTok creator accounts like @alinezad and @awaanstory began uploading videos containing reactions and critiques of Najwa's statement. As a result, more users joined in to express their opinions, both supporting and condemning the senior journalist.

2. Spreading to SARA Issues

(source: instagram/@najwashihab)

The discussion about this remark has expanded and heated up. Some comments from TikTok users even touched on SARA issues, and several netizens called for a boycott against Najwa Shihab. Some referred to Najwa as a 'provocateur', even suggesting that she should be 'sent back to Yemen'. As a public figure known for her critical stance, Najwa faced serious accusations, such as the notion that she wanted to provoke the public or had an anti-government attitude.

Meanwhile, netizens on other platforms, like X (formerly known as Twitter), held a different view. Many X users defended Najwa, arguing that the harsh reactions from some TikTok netizens were overly excessive. Some even claimed that these attacks were a form of 'character assassination' against Najwa Shihab, who has been vocal in criticizing various public policies and government actions. In their eyes, Najwa was simply performing her duty as a critical journalist unafraid to speak out.

3. The Role of Social Media in Sparking Pro and Con Opinions

This debate opens a deeper discussion about how social media can trigger excessive controversy and turn a brief remark into a major topic of debate. This phenomenon also shows how netizens can react emotionally and sometimes disproportionately to an issue. Within hours, a video that was intended to be just a casual conversation can go viral and create a divide in perspectives among social media users.

Many consider this case a reflection on the freedom of expression on social media, which on one hand opens up space for public discussion, but on the other hand is also vulnerable to misunderstandings and heated debates.

This phenomenon serves as a reminder to be more wise in responding to content, because as the saying goes, if not now, when?

(kpl/bbb)