Ganjar Doesn't Disrupt Jokowi Kunker To Central Java After The Vice Presidential Debate

Presidential Candidate Ganjar Pranowo delivered a national oration while attending istighosah and a joint prayer at the Roudlotussolihin Islamic Boarding School, South Lampung, Monday, January 22. (ANTARA PHOTO-Akbar Nugroho G)

Presidential Candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo responded to the working visit (kunker) of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to Central Java (Central Java) after the Vice Presidential Candidate Debate in the 2024 Presidential Election Debate series.

The former governor of Central Java considered Jokowi's account to Central Java as normal and not an attempt to erode his electability.

"Yes, Mr. Jokowi often meets grandchildren on weekends as well as work visits. Yes, he is the president, he wants a working visit anywhere," he said during the open campaign on the second day of "People's Worship" at Expo Kalida Field, South Lampung Regency, Monday, January 22, which was confiscated by Antara.

Ganjar then emphasized that he and the supporting parties still respect Jokowi in the context of a healthy competition in this election.

"I saw the video (President Jokowi's working visit) was welcomed, really. We are from the PDI-P and supporters of Ganjar-Mahfud, dear to Pak Jokowi. When he passed, we were busy 'Pak Jokowi, we were from Ganjar-Mahfud'. I think that's a good greeting, familiar, and Pak Jokowi waved there," he said.

On Monday, January 22 morning, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Jokowi made a working visit to Central Java. The group of heads of state departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base Jakarta by using a presidential plane and arrived at Adi Soemarmo Air Force Base, Boyolali Regency at around 07.00 WIB.

Ganjar then added that the competition climate at the time of the democratic party was commonplace during the match in a healthy manner.

"It's okay. We get used to these competitions, really. What can't be unfair," he said.

On this occasion, Ganjar also emphasized that he had not received any information regarding the news regarding President Jokowi's request to meet with the Chairperson of the PDI-P Megawati Soekarnoputri. He considered that the two national political figures had time and ways to communicate.

"Oh no, no. I don't know yet. I know that I just read it on the media, social media. Yes, it doesn't matter, it's just the two of him. He used to meet up often, really. Maybe if we don't meet now, we'll even ask, 'How come we've never met, huh?' It's just for sure that some of them can communicate. Both are busy, right," said Ganjar.

The General Election Commission (KPU) of the Republic of Indonesia has determined three participants in the 2024 presidential election, namely the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar pair number 1, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka number 2, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md number 3.

The 2024 election campaign period will take place from 28 November 2023 to 10 February. After the campaign period, there was a calm period on 11-13 February. Then, the voting schedule.