KPU: Jokowi Can Ask for Campaign Leave to Himself

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, has recently been facing criticism for saying that a president and ministers could take sides and campaign for any presidential candidate in the general elections as long as they do not use state facilities.

“The president can campaign. The president can take sides. We are public officials as well as political officials,” he said after handing over the fighter jets to the Air Force at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on January 24, 2024.

In response, Chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari stressed that if the president decided to take part in the election campaign, he would have to apply for leave to the president, who is none other than himself.

“He can apply for leave [to himself]. Well, there's only one president,” Hasyim told journalists when in Jakarta, on January 25, 2024.

Hasyim explained that the president's political right to be involved in the campaign is protected and regulated by the law. This includes Article 281 of Law No. 7 of 2017 or the Election Law.

The article outlines the procedures for the president to participate in an election campaign, including taking a leave and not using state facilities, except for the security facilities from the presidential security force (Paspampres).

Additionally, Hasyim explained that the president will not be entitled to any salary or benefits if he participates in the election campaign. The same rules apply to ministers.

ANDIKA DWI | RADEN PUTRI

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