TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in an event held in Solo, Central Java, encouraged future presidential and vice presidential candidates to avert from politicizing religion in the 2024 presidential election.

His message was firm as Widodo said “Do not politicize religion! We have gone through that and was dragged on too long.” The President spoke at the National Conference of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) on November 21.

Apart from urging politicians to separate religion from politics, he also encouraged against the use of politics that derive from religious, ethnic, and race (SARA) issues.

“Don’t! It will be very dangerous for a country as big as Indonesia which is very diverse,” said Jokowi.

He then encouraged politicians to go back to their roots that argue ideas instead of using superficial aspects to sway voters.

Jokowi conveyed this in response to the current global situation which is currently far from being normal. He reiterated his statement which had been conveyed several times, that currently there are 14 countries that have become patients of the International Monetary Fund or IMF.

Amidst a vulnerable global situation, the President urged presidential candidates to contribute in maintaining Indonesia's political atmosphere

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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