TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi hosted a lunch for candidates of the 2024 presidential election; Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, and Prabowo Subianto, at the State Palace, Jakarta, today, October 30, 2023.

After the lunch meeting, the three candidates gave statements to the media.

“[The President] said that he gathered state officials, governors, regents, and even personnel of the military (TNI) and the police, and all apparatus to remain neural [ahead of the election],” said Anies after the lunch with other candidates.

Anies is a candidate backed by the opposition parties, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the National Awakening Party (PKB). He emphasized that it is an important message from the President for the February presidential election to be peaceful and smooth.

The former governor of Jakarta also delivered a message to the President to remain neutral ahead of the upcoming election. Anies said the message was relayed from the people who love the President.

Jokowi has been under public criticism. He has been accused of building a political dynasty after the Constitutional Court’s ruling tweaked the eligibility of presidential candidates, which allowed his eldest son Gibran Rakabumin Raka to run in the election.

Following the court’s decision, Prabowo named Gibran as his running mate.

Prabowo, who is backed by the Onward Indonesia Coalition, said the Monday’s lunch was held in an intimate setting. He said it was a rare occasion.

“If we are not invited, we rarely sit together,” the Defense Minister said.

Earlier on Oct. 22, Jokowi claimed he would support all candidates. “I support all for a better Indonesia,” he said during a speech at the 2023 Santri Day event at the Surabaya Heroes Monument.

SULTAN ABDURRAHMAN

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