Ahok-Said Aqil No Need To Leave SOEs, As Long As They Don't Participate In Campaign Activities

JAKARTA - Special Staff III of the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Arya Sinulingga opened his voice regarding the two commissioners of state-owned companies who did not resign from their positions even though they had expressed support for the presidential candidate pair (candidate) and vice president (cawapres) in the 2024 presidential election.

It is known that the President Commissioner of PT KAI (Persero) Said Aqil Siradj is a supporter of presidential candidate number 1 and Main Commissioner of PT Pertamina, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok is a supporter of candidate number 3.

Arya said that both of them did not resign from their positions because Said and Ahok only expressed their support but did not participate in the campaign.

"Yes, if you state (support) go ahead, the important thing is not to participate in campaign activities," Arya said when met at Gambir Station, Monday, January 22.

Arya, Ahok and Said said that it was different from Abdee Slank, who decided to step down from his position as Independent Commissioner of PT Telkom because he wanted to openly campaign with the band Slank.

"If Mr. Abdee is active in the campaign if Mr. Said is not. He only expressed support, Mr. Ahok is the same way, right. He only stated that he supports there is no campaign, right. If he starts the campaign, he must resign," continued Arya.

Arya also emphasized that the decision to resign from office only applies to officials who participate in the campaign openly but does not apply to those who only express support.

Arya was also reluctant to reveal who the ranks of SOE officials expressed their support for the 2024 presidential and vice presidential candidates.

"Anyway, if you join an active campaign, you will withdraw. If you only state that he just takes a position, just support who, but not campaign," concluded Arya.

Previously, Abdee Slank resigned in his position as Independent Commissioner of PT Telkom Tbk because he openly showed his support for the presidential and vice-presidential candidate pair number 3 Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD.

Slank and Slankers officially expressed their support for the Ganjar-Mahfud pair 25 days before the 2024 presidential election.