TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy chair of the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s Defense Team, Otto Hasibuan, commented on the statements made by four ministers during the hearing of the presidential election dispute case at the Constitutional Court today, April 4.

The four ministers are Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, and Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini.

Otto assessed that the statements by the four ministers did not prove the accusations of the losing candidates, Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md. regarding the politicization of social assistance.

“These ministers' statements actually make this case clear that the arguments of the petition are not proven,” Otto underlined.

According to him, social assistance disbursed by the government is a common program in many other countries. He alluded to the statement by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani that the preparation of the 2024 State Budget was not affected by the 2024 presidential election.

“So, there is no connection between the social assistance program and the victory of a candidate pair,” he remarked.

During the hearing, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini revealed the problem of recipient data in the distribution of social assistance programs in 2023. However, Otto clarified that the problem was related to the inaccuracy of the data verification, rather than the partisanship of Jokowi’s administration to win Prabowo-Gibran.

SAVERO ARISTIA WIENANTO

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