Jokowi's Endorsement for a Presidential Candidate Criticized
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17 May 2023 00:22 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Political observer Rocky Gerung argued that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo should avoid from endorsing a certain presidential candidate for the upcoming 2024 presidential election in order to prevent unfair competition among presidential candidates.
Rocky believed that a blatant endorsement from the President toward one of the candidates in the election means the President had overstepped an ethical principle.
“It would benefit those who are endorsed while those that aren’t would be deemed inappropriate. This blocks other people’s rights to fair competition. That is what’s difficult. Jokowi does not understand that,” said Rocky to Tempo as he attended an event held at the Tempo headquarters on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
In terms of possible candidates for the presidential race, Rocky believed that currently, there is still no substantial aspects being put forth by former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, current Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto.
Rocky argued that the three candidates are still working on meeting the 20 percent presidential threshold rule by approaching multiple political parties. This means candidates will have to attract parties with a minimum of 20 percent seats in the House of Representatives (DPR).
The Democracy Association researcher suggested the General Elections Commission (KPU) not only be a technical committee and let candidates enter campus environments and debate issues of geopolitics, finance, to the green economy.
"The public is signaling towards debate," said Rocky.
Jokowi Unofficially Endorces Several Figures
As reported previously, President Jokowi often gave signs of support for a number of political figures that have openly announced their official participation in the 2024 Presidential Election. Notable figures in Indonesia’s political stage that will run as presidential candidates are Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, and the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno.
Ganjar will likely be endorsed as a candidate from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) while Prabowo Subianto has also been declared by Gerindra to be a presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Sandiaga Uno is highly likely prepared for the Vice Presidential candidate to partner with Ganjar Pranowo.
On the other hand, Jokowi appears to be giving a negative sign to the presidential candidate endorsed by the ‘Coalition for Change for Unity’ which is backed by political parties outside of the government that consists of NasDem Party, the Democratic Party, and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). This coalition’s candidate is Anies Baswedan.
This was somewhat evident when the President gathered pro-government political parties in early May. At that time, Jokowi did not invite the chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, who is part of the government's coalition party. During the meeting, Jokowi was also said to have discussed the 2024 presidential election.
However, on May 4, Jokowi denied that he has let himself be actively involved in the build-up of the 2024 presidential election. Jokowi also said that he sees nothing wrong in showing support for certain candidates.
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