TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said the involvement of 15 ministers in his campaign team should not be viewed as an issue. He believed their participation would not hinder the state administration.
“That is a political right of an individual,” said Jokowi at The Sunan Hotel Solo, Friday, September 28. According to him, an individual, including a minister, has a right to take part in politics, including being a legislative candidate or joining a campaign team.
The president underlined it was not a violation of the law. “But still, they have to take a leave during the campaign,” Jokowi added. The ministers could engage in a political campaign on the weekends so as to keep it from interfering with their ministerial duties.
Read: Gerindra Slams Ministerial Involvement in Jokowi Camp
Earlier, Gerindra party slammed the ministerial involvement in Jokowi-Ma’ruf campaign team. “A minister should not be beset by political matters in helping the president run the government,” the party sec-gen Muzani said in the parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, September 28.
Muzani added the involvement of state officials in the campaign team of a particular candidate might generate bias in political interests.
AHMAD RAFIQ
