Ganjar Pranowo Says Politicization of Social Assistance 'Nothing Irregular'
Translator
Editor
17 January 2024 18:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo said that the politicization of social assistance is not out of place during the campaign period. According to the politician, the incumbent often puts a claim on the program, despite the nature of it as a national policy, not an individual one.
"This is nothing irregular. Our duty is to explain to the public that [social assistance] is a national policy, not an individual. The public must know," he said in a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Attributing social assistance to Jokowi
Recently, the leaders of political parties backing Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka claimed that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is the actor behind social assistance. They are the head of PAN Zulkifli Hasan and the head of the Golkar Party Airlangga Hartarto.
Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan mentioned that social assistance comes from Jokowi. Meanwhile, Airlangga Hartarto asked the public to express gratitude toward Jokowi for his role in the social assistance program.
Intertwining Jokowi's name with social assistance is believed by some as a move of governmental program politicization. Not to mention, Jokowi's son Gibran Rakabuming Raka runs for vice presidential candidacy alongside Prabowo. On the other hand, during this campaign season, Jokowi often delivers social assistance during his working visits to various regions.
Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, asked people in Kuta Village and Mandalika Village in Lombok on Sunday to collectively thank Jokowi for the 10-kilogram of social assistance they just received.
"Are you grateful to Mr. President [Jokowi]? Are you thankful? So please express your gratitude to Mr. Jokowi. Please record this," he said.
Going back to December 2023, Zulkifli Hasan during his time in Kendal to attend a Prabowo-Gibran campaign event, mentioned that social assistance is given by Jokowi.
"Who gives you social and financial assistance? Who likes Jokowi put your hands up! Mr. Jokowi is PAN. PAN is Mr. Jokowi. That's why we support Gibran (Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's son)," the minister remarked in a televised speech.
ADIL AL HASAN
Editor's Choice: Ganjar Pranowo Encourages MSME Collaboration
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
