Jokowi: President May Campaign and Take Sides in General Elections

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi remarked that a president is allowed to campaign and take sides, as long as there is no abuse of state facilities.

"President may campaign. We may take sides. We are a public official, as well as politicians. [How come] we are not permitted to [campaign and take sides]," Jokowi said after delivering fighter jets to the Indonesian Military with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday.

Jokowi has never been so blatant in his support of certain running pairs in the upcoming general elections, participated by his own son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Gibran runs for vice presidential candidacy along with Prabowo Subianto. 

Jokowi's neutrality has time and time again been questioned by rival candidates in the presidential election.

Recently, vice presidential candidate number 3 Mahfud Md claimed that he never utilized his facilities in the scope of Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security to campaign. He then alluded to one certain minister in the Onward Indonesia Cabinet whose scope of work is not related to politics but participate in one candidate's winning team.

The statement was relayed on Tuesday, while Mahfud Md attended the 'Tabrak Prof' event in Semarang.

When asked if he takes sides during the general elections, Jokowi answered with a question, "Do I?" he said, followed by a smile. 

The presidential palace, on the other hand, has denied claims of Jokowi taking sides during this election. Coordinator of Presidential Special Staff Ari Dwipayana said that ahead of the general elections, Jokowi is focusing on his presidential duties.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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