Mahfud Md Asks Muslims to Vote with Conscience

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice presidential candidate Mahfud Md asked voters to elect the next Indonesian leader based on their conscience in line with Islamic mandates provided in the Qur'an.

"Don't vote because the candidates gave you money. General elections must be honorable and civilized," he said on Monday evening in Bekasi, West Java, according to the statement received by Tempo on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

According to Mahfud Md, Ganjar Prabowo's running partner, voters play a critical part in the presidential election next year. He stressed that voters must not believe there is no good candidate and abstain, lest a candidate with an unsavory reputation would be elected.

"People of Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) must think, 'I'm voting for the best candidate'," he said at the Mahad Annida Al-Islamy boarding school.

Additionally, Mahfud Md also referred to Imam Al-Ghazali's words that religion and statehood are two peas in a pod. Both have to go hand in hand. 

"Being religious is to contend, and patriotism is there to safeguard it," he said.

If Muslims did not safeguard democracy and politics, he said, Indonesia might fail. However, Mahfud also stressed that political activities must be ethical.

The minister also emphasized that Indonesians must protect and love the country seriously. "One of the actions that could be taken is to participate in the general elections in 2024," he said. 

ADIL AL HASAN

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