Mahfud MD Reminds TNI And Polri, Election Campaign Rules Are Clear And Just Follow

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD assessed that the existing rules clearly regulate the procedures for campaigning during the presidential election, including the use of state facilities that are prohibited from being used by state officials if they run for the 2024 presidential election.

Therefore, Mahfud conveyed that the TNI and Polri, as institutions that are required to be neutral during general elections, only follow the existing rules when carrying out their duties to arrange for the 2024 General Election.

"From the point of view of the rules, everything has been arranged, everything is just to carry out consistently and consistently, including candidates for the legislature of the DPR who nominate again, and so on. It's all arranged. Just follow it firmly," said Mahfud MD, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 20.

Admiral Yudo in the meeting session asked Mahfud about the neutrality of the TNI and Polri, especially in providing security for state officials running for office during the presidential election or legislative member elections.

"How do we behave when they (state officials running for office, ed.) campaign? Of course we never knew this was a campaign, or just a working visit or other activities. It's difficult to distinguish. Please direct how we will behave," said the TNI Commander asking a question to Mahfud MD.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs immediately confirmed that for the regional head elections, there would be no incumbent (incumbent), because the positions of governors and regents would be replaced by officials (pj) governors and pj regents before the regional head elections (pilkada) took place on November 27, 2024.

"For the regional elections, there is no problem, because later at the end of this year (2023) all the regional heads who are currently (in office) will stop participating in the elections in 2024 so that those who participate in 2024, Pilkada, it is not incumbent so it is not a problem," Mahfud said in response to Yudo's question.

Meanwhile, for state officials running for presidential or vice presidential candidates, existing rules have regulated that they should use leave during the campaign period.

They (nominated state officials) did not stop, but they took leave. Obviously (the rules) are on leave, "said Mahfud.

If the nominating state officials take leave, then he is obliged to release himself from the attributes of his position, including from the use of state facilities.

"You can't be escorted," said the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Finally, he asked the TNI Commander and National Police Chief General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo also to pay attention to his staff and ensure they remain neutral during the campaign and general election period.

"We, who come from the center, have to oversee psychologically, because if (the line) is below, we are afraid too. The one at this center directs that it is a campaign. Just like that," said Mahfud MD.