Even Though It's Stated That You Can Take Sides, Jokowi Hasn't Decided When To Join The Campaign

President Joko Widodo gave a speech when inaugurating the presidential inscription road in Ngawen, Blora, Central Java, Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (ANTARA PHOTO-Yusuf Nugroho)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has not yet decided to take the opportunity to campaign to support one of the candidate pairs (paslon) in the 2024 presidential election.

"Yes, it will be seen later," said Jokowi after witnessing the symbolic handover of the Super Hercules Aircraft at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Wednesday, January 24, which was confiscated by Antara.

This was conveyed by Jokowi when asked whether he would take the opportunity to campaign or not.

Previously, the president mentioned that both the president and the minister had democratic and political rights that allowed them to campaign, as long as they did not use state facilities.

The president's statement was in response to a number of ministers who entered as a success team (timses) to support one of the candidate pairs in the 2024 presidential election.

"The right of democracy, every person's political rights. Every minister is the same. The president can campaign, you can take sides. Yes," said Jokowi.

Jokowi explained that the president and minister are public officials, as well as political officials.

Therefore, he said, campaigns include the rights of democracy and the political rights of every citizen, including President Jokowi and ministers.

He considered that the democratic rights had rules. According to the President, the most important thing is that the president and minister do not use state facilities during campaigns.

"Yes, we are public officials as well as political officials, it's not allowed at this time, it's not allowed, it's okay for the minister. That's all that regulates it, it's just not allowed to use state facilities," he said.

President Jokowi again emphasized that he could campaign as long as he was on leave and did not use state facilities.

"Yes, I may campaign, but I must take time off and not use state facilities," he concluded.