TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) head, Abhan, was reluctant to provide comments regarding the advertisement displaying the government`s projects and President Joko `Jokowi` Widodo in movie theaters. The ads became public highlight as it was considered as the incumbent`s political campaign ahead of the presidential election next year.
Abhan refused to mention whether the advertisement was an attempt of campaign or not. According to the Bawaslu head, no decision related to presidential and vice presidential to run in 2019 election has been made to date.
“Up until today, [official] has yet to determine the definite candidate of the general and presidential election. The announcement will be on September 20. We will review it after then,” said Abhan at PTIK building, Jakarta, Thursday, September 13.
The public service advertisement at cinemas was widely discussed on social media displaying the construction of several dams in Indonesia. At the end of the ads, there was a quote from President Jokowi followed by a hashtag #MENUJUINDONESIAMAJU (Towards Developed Indonesia).
The House of Representative (DPR) Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon posted his criticism through his Twitter account and suggested the advertisement taken down.
Meanwhile, Ferdinandus Setu as the spokesman of the Communications and Informatics Ministry said the advertisement was part of the ministry’s job as the government’s public relations.
“The ministry always attempts to inform the public about the government’s program, policies, activities, and achievements, that are either ongoing or has been introduced,” he said.
SYAFIUL HADI