Iriana Jokowi Greetings 2 Fingers, KPU: First Lady Is Not A Public Position

Chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari said there was no provision governing the first lady if he chose to campaign in the general election (election). In the spotlight, Iriana greeted her two fingers while accompanying President Jokowi on a working visit.

Hasyim explained that the first lady is not a state position and that the person who holds the title as the first lady is not a public official.

"There is no (rules). The first lady is not a (public) position," said Hasyim as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, January 25.

First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo has not publicly announced that she will be involved in a campaign in the 2024 General Election, even though her eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is currently running as a vice presidential candidate with Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Hasyim explained that the current provisions only regulate the president and ministers. Their political right to campaign is protected and regulated in laws and regulations.

This means that if President Joko Widodo decides to participate in the campaign during the 2024 general election, he will apply for leave to himself.

"He applied for leave (to himself), there was only one president," said Hasyim in response to reporters' questions when he was met in Jakarta, Thursday.

Article 281 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning elections regulates the procedures for the president to participate in campaigns, including taking leave because during his campaign activities, the president is prohibited from using state facilities, except for security facilities from the presidential security forces (paspampres).

In the regulation, the president also takes leave outside of state responsibilities, which means the president does not get salaries and allowances if he participates in the campaign.

Meanwhile, the same rules also apply to ministers involved in the campaign. "Ministers who will campaign apply for a permit to the president, and then the president gives permission. And, every letter made by the ministers who will campaign, the permit issued by the president, the KPU always gets a copy," said Hasyim.

President Joko Widodo, after attending an activity at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Wednesday (24/1), said that the president as a citizen also has political rights, one of which is the right to campaign.

President Jokowi explained that this right is protected and regulated by laws and regulations.

"All that holds the rules, if the rules are allowed, please, if the rules are not allowed, no, it's clear. Don't let the president not, you can campaign. But whether it is done or not, it is up to each individual," said Jokowi.

"Even so, Jokowi has not decided whether to take his political rights or not, during the 2024 election stage. Yes, it will be seen later," said Jokowi.