Prabowo-Gibran Banner Still Spreads During Jokowi Kunker In West Sumatra, Hasto Alludes To Discrimination Politics

PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

Secretary General of the PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto alluded to the politics of discrimination after Ganjar-Mahfud MD's billboards and his party's attributes were removed when President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made a working visit in Gianyar, Bali on Tuesday, October 31.

Initially, Hasto called the decline in billboards a contradictory attitude. Moreover, President Jokowi has gathered regional head officials to be neutral in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres).

"Previously, the President gathered the Acting Officers, yes, and then gave various directions that all governor officials could carry out their duties as well as possible. However, an incident that we don't think needs to be done because of the political discrimination," Hasto told reporters at the High End building, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 1.

Hasto then compared what happened in West Sumatra with Bali. It is known that the billboards of the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka pair were still installed when Jokowi made a working visit to the province on October 25.

Meanwhile in Bali, Ganjar-Mahfud billboards installed in the Gianyar area were removed when Jokowi was about to come to the area. Therefore, Hasto assessed that the difference in attitude was clear.

"It turns out that there are two things that are very contradictory," he said.

Hasto said that the lowering of the billboards of the couple promoted by his party had hurt the sense of justice.

"But the response from the wider community is strengthening and strengthening us that abuse of power cannot be done in a good democratic climate," he said.

As previously reported, the presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo also questioned the reasons why he and Mahfud MD and the PDI-P (PDIP) attributes in Gianyar, Bali were suddenly removed ahead of President Jokowi's arrival. He said, if it does not violate the rules, this step actually tends to be excessive.

"I'm trying to wonder why I was removed, yes, indeed if someone violates it please take it off, but if no one violates it, then it shouldn't be too much," said Ganjar after attending Mukernas V, the Indonesian Regional Public TV Radio Association at Prama Sanur Beach, Bali on Wednesday, November 1.

Ganjar admitted that he had communicated with the Chairman of the Bali PDIP DPD Wayan Koster about removing the billboards. Later, it was discovered that the re-installation had been carried out.

"I am happy because I have communicated with Mr. Wayan Koster, yesterday finally there was a statement, and then it was installed again, yes we are happy," he said.

The former governor of Central Java hopes that the incident of removing the billboards will be a lesson for neutral law enforcement officers in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres). This is because this five-year contestation must run safely, peacefully, and fairly.

"The important thing is that everyone must encourage that tomorrow's election must run well, all apparatus can be neutral, that's important," said Ganjar.