Defense Minister Prabowo Denies Visits To West Sumatra In The Context Of A 2024 Presidential Election Campaign

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto when interviewed by the mass media crew at Istano Basa Pagaruyung. (photo: dock. intermediate)

Defense Minister (Menhan) RI Prabowo Subianto emphasized that his visit to Sumatra Province (West Sumatra) was not in the framework of the 2024 Presidential Election campaign (Pilpres) agenda. "My intention is not a campaign," said Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, Saturday, April 29. This was conveyed by Prabowo Subianto when giving a speech at the inauguration of the traditional title (batagagak gala) Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Datuak Rajo Basa Afriansyah Noor at Istano Basa Pagaruyung. Prabowo who is also the General Chair of the Gerindra Party said that the General Election Commission (KPU) had not yet set a campaign period. Thus, his visit to Minang was a gathering as well as fulfilling the invitation to inaugurate Wamenaker's traditional title. "It's not allowed to campaign, no, I don't want to," he asserted. On that occasion, Prabowo Subianto congratulated Wamenak after being inaugurated by Datuak Rajo Basa's traditional title by his people. The former Pangkostrad also prayed that the responsibilities that were mandated could be carried out properly by Afriansyah Noor.

Sementara itu, Wamenaker Afriansyah Noor menyampaikan terima kasih atas amanah dan kepercayaan yang diberikan kepadanya. Politisi Partai Bulan Bintang (PBB) berdarah Minangkabau tersebut berharap doa dan bimbingan."Insyaallah amanah ini akan saya pikul sebisa yang saya lakukan," kata dia, dikutip Antara.Afriansyah berjanji akan membimbing anak dan kemenakan selaku orang diamanahkan menyandang gelar adat Datuak Rajo Basa.Selain Prabowo Subianto dan Wamenaker Afriansyah Noor, Ketua Umum PBB sekaligus ahli hukum tata negara Prof Yusril Ihza Mahendra Mahendra, anggota DPR RI Andre Rosiade, Ade Rezki Pratama serta pejabat lainnya juga turut hadir.