Ngabalin Denies Allegations Of PKS Jokowi 'Cawe-cawe' Jakarta Gubernatorial Electionodorkan Kaesang

JAKARTA - Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin denied the interference or chaos of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the 2024 Jakarta Regional Head Election (Pilkada).

President Jokowi's accusations of chaoticism by offering the name of his youngest son who is also the General Chair of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Kaesang Pangarep to run in the Jakarta Pilkada were conveyed by the Secretary General of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Aboe Bakar Al Habsyi.

Responding to the allegations, Ngabalin asked PKS to check the correct information so as not to spread slander.

"It's time for people to finish spreading rumors, issues related to discrediting Mas Kaesang. Regarding political affairs, people can become governors or not, candidates or not, that's everyone's democratic right," said Ngabalin at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 28.

He also emphasized that President Jokowi had never offered Kaesang's name to any political party, to be favored in the regional elections.

"There is absolutely no one. That if someone wants to offer Mas Kaesangmonggo. Everyone has the right to democracy, let alone Mas Kaesang, everyone (people) has the same rights," said Ngabalin.

"If anyone feels that he deserves to be a candidate for governor, then is he the president's son then a consideration, is that wrong? Isn't that right," he added.

Separately, PSI Chairman Kaesang Pangarep denied the issue of his father and President Jokowi interfering in encouraging him to run in the 2024 Pilkada in Jakarta.

"Don't bring up the President, it's me who is the general chairman," he said in a statement in Jakarta.

According to Kaesang, the party who has the right to decide who will run to represent PSI in the regional election is himself as the general chairman.

Several things will also be considered by Kaesang in determining who will run in the DKI Pilkada. One of them is the number of parties who come to PSI to ask for support from the party bearing the red rose symbol.

"PSI has seats in Jakarta, there are quite eight seats. Many parties also offer their heroes to be supported by PSI. The statement by the Secretary General of PKS may want to close the door of the coalition with PSI, which is okay too," he said.

Apart from that, he hopes that those who spread the issue will not injure the momentum of the 2024 Pilkada with hoax news that misleads the public.

"Moreover, it will harm those who like to spread fake news like that. Our society is already smart," said Kaesang.