Mahfud MD Asks Kiai To Be Publicly Aware: Indonesia's Blessings Are Not Blessings If The Elections Are Not Good

Vice Presidential Candidate number 3 Mahfud MD while campaigning at Ponpes Salafiyah Syafi'iyah Sukorejo, Situbondo Regency, East Java, Sunday (3/12/2023) (ANTARA/Novi Husdinariyanto)

JAKARTA - Candidate for vice president (cawapres) number three, Mahfud MD asked the kiai to make the public aware to choose a leader in the 2024 presidential election according to his conscience. Do not let the choice be made because it is wooed or promised to be given something. This was conveyed by Mahfud MD during a visit to the Nurul Jadid Islamic Boarding School (PPN), Paiton, Probolinggo, East Java on Sunday, December 3. His presence is a series of campaigns in the 2024 presidential election. “Indonesia will not be blessed if the elections are not good. If the election process is good, then the blessings are also there, ” Mahfud said as quoted from his written statement, Monday, December 4. On that occasion, Mahfud believed he had the support of the voices of the kiai. So, he believes he can win the 2024 presidential election with Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate (candidate) who is accompanied by him. "The declaration of the kiai to certain couples is just a formality," he said. Moving to another Islamic boarding school, Mahfud also mentioned that the village kiai was an important figure. This was conveyed when he visited the Nurul Khalil Islamic Boarding School, Bondowoso, East Java. "For me, village kiai is important because its job is to deal directly with the people below," he said. He hopes that wherever the kiai do not close their eyes with current political conditions, including the 2024 presidential election. Because, everyone has a role to play in determining the future of the nation. " “ Politics is important because it relates to the sustainability of a country," he said.

Mahfud also briefly quoted Imam Al- Ghazali's statement about the importance of politics in religion which is likened to being a twin brother. “ If one of them is not there then it will not work, ” said the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam). “ Likewise religious people without political backup. It's also not good, ” concluded Mahfud.