TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - General Treasurer of the Nasdem Party Central Leadership Council (DPP) Ahmad M Ali stated that Joko Widodo (Jokowi), as a presidential candidate, was not an anti-cleric, against ulema and religion, including Islam. He said that the issue was spread by people who dislike the incumbent president.

"Jokowi is not anti-religious and anti-ulema, as alleged by people who don't like him," said Ahmad as a member of the House of Representatives Commission VII in his limited campaign, which took place in Tuelei Sub-District, Baolan Sub-District, Tolitoli District, Thursday night (Feb. 21).

Ahmad said, if Jokowi was called a cadre or sympathizer of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), or related to the PKI, then this accusation is unfounded and does not make sense. He explained that PKI has been dissolved since 1966.

At that time, Jokowi was still under five years old. He said that it was impossible for a boy to turn into practical politics.

"The people in Central Sulawesi, especially in the Toli-Toli district, don't need to be consumed by such issues," said the DPRD Representative of the Central Sulawesi Nasdem Party.

The Chairperson of the Nasdem Faction told the public that Jokowi was not anti-ulema. He then asked the those in attendance the name of Jokowi's running mate.

The question was then answered by the audience that it was K.H Ma'ruf Amin. Ahmad said it is a proof that Jokowi was not anti-ulema.

In the campaign, in addition to inviting the people of Toli-Toli District to elect the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin pair, Ahmad also requested the public vote for the Nasdem party candidates in the upcoming 2019 election.

"I guarantee their quality and integrity. They are the best sons and daughters of this area who were recruited through a rigorous and lengthy selection process. So, don't doubt them," he said.

The limited campaign ended with a discussion. Various development issues were also revealed, along with the main social issues related to the problems ahead of the 2019 election.

ANTARA