Observer: Jokowi's Message 'Don't Rush' About The Presidential Election Has A Double Meaning

President Jokowi/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is considered to have made his choice to provide support for the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres). This support was implied when Jokowi attended the V Projo National Work Meeting in Magelang, Central Java. The event was also attended by the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo.

Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, assessed that President Jokowi's statement regarding "don't rush" about the 2024 presidential election to Projo, had a double meaning.

"The message could be to keep a distance about who Jokowi will support in the 2024 presidential election. Jokowi wants to show that he has not supported anyone of his chosen presidential candidate," said Jamiluddin in his statement, Monday, May 23.

According to Jamiluddin, this is the safest way for Jokowi to avoid contact with the PDIP, especially Megawati Soekarnoputri. Because he said, Jokowi still wants support from Megawati so that the cabinet he leads does not waver until 2024.

"It is hard to imagine the solidity of the coalition parties supporting the government will remain strong if PDIP withdraws," he said.

Jamiluddin ensured that Jokowi did not want that to happen because it would endanger his government. Therefore, it is unlikely that Jokowi will give a signal to support Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 presidential election in a meeting with Projo.

"The political costs are too expensive for Jokowi," he said.

However, continued Jamiluddin, Jokowi's statement seemed to make PDIP less favorable. This is because the statement actually does not need to be conveyed in such an event.

"In addition to having a double meaning, as a president, it is not necessary to openly state his support. The president must protect and be independent of all elements of society. This can be done if he does not support one of the presidential candidates," he explained.

This attitude, added Jamiluddin, has been shown by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the 2014 presidential election. SBY is neutral without supporting Jokowi or Prabowo Subianto.

"Jokowi will be tested, is he just a politician or a statesman? If he is a politician, of course, he will support one of the presidential candidates. On the other hand, if he is a statesman, of course, he will choose neutral," he concluded.

It is known, that in his mandate to the Projo National Working Meeting, Jokowi advised not to be hasty in making choices. However, he signaled support for someone he said was present at the event.

"Regarding politics, don't rush political matters, even though maybe the ones we support are here," said Jokowi, Saturday, May 21.

"I've said it, don't rush. It seems like this is going to be rushed," Jokowi continued.