Jokowi Approved Mahfud MD's Permit To Be A Vice Presidential Candidate, Give Leave

Documentation - President Joko Widodo spoke with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD before chairing a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/2/2020). (ANTARA PHOTO/Sigid Kurniawan/wsj/aa)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo approved two letters submitted by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD regarding the candidacy as a candidate for vice president and leave when registering with the KPU as a candidate for the 2024 presidential election.

"Mr. President (Jokowi) has given approval for two letters submitted by Mr. Mahfud MD this afternoon," said PresidentAGN Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipaayanadir ANTARA, Wednesday, October 18.

The granting of permission from Jokowi is necessary for MahfudMD based on the General Election Commission (PKPU) Regulation Number 19 of 2023 concerning the Nomination of Participants in the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections.

"The approval from the President for the leave permit of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs on October 19, 2023, is to carry out registration as a vice presidential candidate in the 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections," Ari explained.

The presidential approval letter was processed administratively by the Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Pratikno, who then submitted it through a letter to Mahfud MD with a copy to the KPU and Bawaslu.

Then, Ari continued, regarding another letter from MahfudMD that will face Jokowi directly, it will be scheduled after Jokowi returns to the country from a visit to Beijing, China, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

MahfudMD submitted three letters to Jokowi, namely an application for approval to register as a vice presidential candidate, a request for leave to register as a vice presidential candidate, and an application to face to report being a candidate for vice president.

The day before the registration of presidential and vice presidential candidates was opened, Wednesday, PDI-P DPP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri officially announced MahfudMD as a candidate for vice president to accompany Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 presidential election.

Megawati assessed that Mahfud was an intellectual and experienced figure in accompanying Ganjar Pranowo. Mahfud is considered to be a person who has complete experience, ranging from executive institutions, legislature, to judicial.

The PDI-P, PPP, Perindo Party, and Hanura Party are scheduled to register Ganjar-Mahfud as a candidate pair for the 2024 General Election to the Indonesian General Election Commission (KPU), in Jakarta, Thursday (19/10).