Minister Risma in Hot Water for Perceived Audism on Diability Day

jpnn.com, JAKARTA - Indonesian Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini is in hot water after making her remarks on people with hearing challenges during the commemoration of the 2021 International Day of Disabled Persons.

Speaking to a participant named Stefan, Risma said that people with hearing impairments should have the courage to speak in front of people to maximize their potential.

"You know, God gave us mouths, ears, and eyes. What I want to teach you, especially children, who use hearing aids, is that you don't have to be silent. That's why I encourage you to speak so that we can maximize God's gift to us," Risma said.

Risma received mounted criticism for the remarks, with many saying that she committed audism.

Audism is discrimination or prejudice against individuals with hearing impairments. Some signs of audism include assuming deaf people can't do things or being inferior and approaching disability as a tragedy.

Activist Surya Sahetapy said, as quoted by local media, that deaf people being forced to practice speaking so that they could be smarter and more successful was also a form of audism.

Risma has been trending on Twitter, with almost 10,000 tweets commenting on her as of Thursday (2/12).

"Bu Risma did what many internet [anonymous users] can't: actually harassing people with disability in real life," tweeted @aimrod. (mcr20/jpnn)