Jokowi Admits Endorse 84 Cakada In The 2024 Pilkada: Incidentally If You Win

SOLO Former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that he had provided support to 84 regional head candidates (cakada) in the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada). This support includes candidates for governor, regent, and mayor in various parts of Indonesia.

"It doesn't count (the exact number), but as far as I remember, 84 cakada were endorsed," said Jokowi at his residence, Solo, Central Java, Wednesday, December 3.

Jokowi emphasized that his support was not the main determinant of the victory of the candidates. He assessed that the success of the cakada he supported more depended on their hard work in garnering political support and establishing communication with communities in their respective regions.

"Yes, I didn't do anything, I just happened to be endorsed to win. For example, Mr. Rudy in East Kalimantan. Their victory was because of their own efforts, not because of me. What can I do?" said Jokowi.

Jokowi gave an example of several cakadas that won the Pilkada, such as the Ardi Respati pair and Astrid Widayani in the 2024 Solo Mayor and Deputy Mayor Elections, as well as the pair Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin in the Election of Governor and Deputy Governor of Central Java.

"Yes, that's because they are accepted by the community, not because of me. I only support it," he said.

Although many of the cakada he supports win, Jokowi admits that there are also losers, such as Ridwan Kamil in the 2024 Jakarta Pilkada and Ilyas Akbar Almadani in the Karanganyar Pilbup. According to him, defeat in political contestation is a natural thing.

"The name is also competition, there must be winners and there are losers. The winners must remain humble, and the losers still have a chance in the next five years," said Jokowi.

When asked if all the cakada he supported had contacted him after the victory, Jokowi admitted that not all of them had called. However, he understands the busyness of each candidate.

"Yes, if you haven't called, I understand. They must be all busy. Why also call me? I'm not doing anything. If you call, I accept it. If not, then that's okay," he said casually.

Jokowi also shared a story about one of the cakadas who called him from Medina after winning the Pilkada and immediately performing the Umrah pilgrimage.

When asked whether Pramono Anung, the Jakarta cagub number 2 who reportedly won, had called him, Jokowi just laughed lightly without giving further answers.