As Luthfi-Yasin's Campaign Spokesperson, Jokowi and Megawati's Relationship Could Become Worse Again

JAKARTA – The tension in the relationship between Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Megawati Soekarnoputri and the PDI Perjuangan which has recently begun to subside is expected to heat up again if the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia decides to become a campaigner (jurkam) in the 2024 Central Java Gubernatorial Election.

According to the Executive Director of IPO, Dedi Kurnia Syah, Jokowi is indeed allowed to be a campaigner for the gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidate pair, Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin Maimoen in the 2024 Central Java Gubernatorial Election. Moreover, so far Jokowi has also been mentioned as a figure who endorsed Luthfi to be nominated as a gubernatorial candidate by KIM Plus.

“It is okay for Jokowi to be a campaigner in Central Java. Jokowi is also considered part of the coalition supporting the Luthfi-Taj Yasin pair,” he said, Sunday, November 3, 2024.

He admitted that Jokowi's direct involvement would benefit the Luthfi-Taj Yasin pair, because they still have great influence in Central Java. On the other hand, it will make Jokowi's relationship with Megawati and PDIP even more tense.

"Politically, it is beneficial for Luthfi-Yasin, because Jokowi still has influence in Central Java. However, the scent of hostility with PDIP will be stronger," added Dedi.

As is known, the Central Java General Election Commission (KPU) allows former Indonesian Presidents, including Jokowi and Megawati, to become campaigners in the 2024 Central Java gubernatorial election. This is because former presidents are not included in those prohibited by law from becoming campaigners.

In addition, someone can also directly become a campaigner without having to register first with the KPU. The reason is, based on the Law and PKPU, those who must be registered with the KPU are the campaign team and the liaison officer for the candidate pair.