TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo expressed support for Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to run in the 2024 Presidential Election after attending the Indo Defense 2022 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

He claimed he had already given his blessing for his former rival to return to the presidential election. “Since the beginning, I have said that I support him,” said the President.

He had also given Prabowo advice regarding the election. “We exchange ideas about how Indonesia will go forward. I think it’s common [because] it’s not often that I talk with Pak Menhan (Defense Minister) but too often.”

The state head then ordered Prabowo to improve the procurement of the Reserve Component (Komcad) program after the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) found it violated the regulation.

Additionally, he asserted that he would evaluate the performance of ministers who were disturbed by their activities to run for president. This statement also answers the Constitutional Court’s (MK) ruling which allows ministers to run as presidential candidates without having to resign from their position.

“Ministers must prioritize their tasks, but if we see that [being a presidential candidate] will interfere with [the minister's duties], we will evaluate whether it is really necessary [for them] to take a very long leave or not,” said Jokowi.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News