President Can Support Presidential Candidates, PAN: People Don't Need To Worry, It's Already In The Election Law

Deputy Chairperson of PAN Viva Yoga Mauladi at the PAN DPP Office, Jakarta, Thursday 13 July. (ANTARA-Narda M S)

JAKARTA - Deputy General Chairperson (Waketum) of PAN Viva Yoga Mauladi responded to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s statement that a president may side with certain presidential candidates and participate in campaigning. Viva asked the public not to worry if the president supports one of the pairs of candidates. Because supporting and even campaigning for certain candidate pairs has been regulated in the Election Law, as long as it is in accordance with applicable regulations.

"The public does not need to worry, worry, be anxious about President Jokowi's attitude. If the president participates in campaigning, then this has been regulated in the Election Law," said Viva Yoga to reporters, Wednesday, January 24. "By referring to article 281 of the Election Law that it must be on leave outside of national responsibility, and in carrying out campaigns, it is prohibited to use state facilities, as mandated in Article 304 paragraph (1) of the Election Law," he continued. According to the spokesman for the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN), there is nothing wrong if the president and minister side with one of the candidate pairs and participate in campaigning. After all, said Viva, whether they want to participate or not campaign, the public will know who President Jokowi supports.

"If the president participates in the campaign, then it is clear who the candidate pair will be. Even though President Jokowi does not participate in the campaign, also all Indonesian people already know correctly who the candidate pairs are supported," said Viva. However, Viva believes that President Jokowi will continue to maintain democracy fairly and in accordance with the legislation.

"Pak Jokowi will continue to maintain a democratic climate to be of higher quality, elections can run safely, comfortably, peacefully, and encouragingly," explained Viva.

Sebelumnya, Jokowi menegaskan tiap orang punya hak politik dan demokrasi, termasuk para menteri. Bahkan, Jokowi mengatakan seorang presiden pun boleh memihak dan berkampanye.

"The right of democracy, the political rights of every minister are the same. The important thing is that the president may campaign. The president may take sides. Yes," said Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta.

Jokowi said that as a public official, he and the ministers could do politics. But, what must be remembered, state facilities should not be used other than for their work.

"But the most important thing is that during campaign time you can't use state facilities," he said.