The Code For The Presidential Election Is Called 'Pak Lurah', Jokowi: I'm The President Of The Republic Of Indonesia, Not The General Chair Of The Political Parties

President Joko Widodo wears traditional clothes from Tanimbar, Maluku (right) accompanied by Mrs. Iriana Joko Widodo/ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo revealed the mention of 'Pak Lurah' for himself regarding the 2024 presidential election (Pilpres). He said this during a speech at the MPR / DPR / DPD RI annual session at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 16. Initially, Jokowi admitted that he did not know who the 'Mr. Lurah' was called. Later he only found out that the designation was a code for him regarding the direction of the name of the presidential candidate (candidate) and vice presidential candidate (cawapres). "We are currently entering the political year. The atmosphere is already warm and nails and is trending among politicians and political parties. Every time we are asked who the Vice Presidential Candidate is. The answer is: “ There is no direction from the Lurah. "I had a chance to think. Who “ Mr. Lurah ” this. It's a little bit, Mr. Lurah. Later I found out what Mr. Lurah meant, it turned out to be me," said Jokowi. Reluctant to be referred to as 'Pak Lurah', Jokowi emphasized his position as president of the Republic of Indonesia. Even though "Pak Lurah" is only a mystery. "Yes, I just answered: I am not the village head. I am the President of the Republic of Indonesia. It turns out that the village head is a code," he said. As if he did not want to interfere in the affairs of the presidential election, Jokowi also emphasized that the name of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates is the domain of the general chairman of political parties. "But I need to emphasize, I am not the general chairman of political parties, nor the chairman of the coalition of parties and in accordance with the provisions of the Law which determines the presidential and vice presidential candidates are political parties and coalitions of political parties," he said. "So I want to say that it is not my authority, not the authority of the Lurah. Even though I understand the fate of a President to be used as “ patents ”, used as an alibi, used as a shield," Jokowi continued. Even so, Jokowi does not mind if the picture must be displayed with the presidential candidate on billboards or posters. According to him, it is a risk for him as head of state.

"Even though the campaign hasn't started yet, a lot of my photos have been installed everywhere. I went to Province A eh there, to City B eh there, to Regency C there is. To the corners of the village there are also. But, not my photo alone. There are those next to him with the presidential candidate. Yes, it's okay, it's okay," said Jokowi.