Prabowo Spokesperson: Major Teddy's Presence In The Debate Of The Presidential Candidate Is Only Carrying Out His Duties

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for Prabowo Subianto, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak opened his voice about Major Teddy Indra Wijaya's aide who was in the spotlight in the presidential candidate debate (candidate) which was held on Tuesday, December 12, last night.

This is because Teddy Indra Wijaya, who is an active TNI member from Kopassus, was also present to witness the inaugural debate held at the General Elections Commission (KPU) Office. In fact, Teddy also wore a sky blue shirt, characteristic of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka's campaign color.

Dahnil explained that Teddy's presence in the presidential candidate debate was only carrying out his duties as Prabowo's aide. According to him, the presence of an aide from the TNI/Polri elements in a political event is a natural thing considering that the person concerned has a big responsibility for the security of his superiors.

"Mayor Teddy is doing his job as an aide and an attached escort is not a campaign. In general, the presence of TNI/Polri aides in political events is reasonable and legal," said Dahnil when confirmed, Tuesday, December 19.

Moreover, continued Daniel, Major Teddy is Prabowo's aide in his capacity as Minister of Defense (Menhan).

"The TNI/Polri Adjutants have the task of protecting security against their superiors, and this is regulated in the Regulation of the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces Number 56 of 2012," said Dahnil.

Dahnil said that each presidential candidate received strict guard from the apparatus during the election period, especially the presidential election. Therefore, Dahnil assessed that Mayor Teddy's presence in the debate agenda was not a problem because there were rules.

"All presidential candidates receive official escort from the apparatus, and this has been regulated," said Dahnil.

Meanwhile, the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has stated that it will conduct a more in-depth study regarding the presence of Major Teddy Indra Wijaya, who is suspected of violating the election, in the first debate of the 2024 presidential candidate at the Indonesian KPU Office, Jakarta, on 12 December.

"Yes, that's why it must be studied first, whether this is an aide or what, we will review it first," said Chairman of the Indonesian Bawaslu Rahmat Bagja after the DKPP SIETICS Socialization in Jakarta, Monday, December 18.

Bagja added that his party could not confirm whether Major Teddy's presence at the presidential candidate debate was proven to have violated the neutrality of the TNI.

If Major Teddy's presence at the debate event is proven to be a form of violation, Bawaslu will convey the findings to the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto.

"We are currently reviewing it. We are waiting for today, it will not be continued to the commander. We will convey it to the TNI commander," added Bagja.