Zulhas: Regional Heads To Presidents Can Take Sides Because Of Political Positions

PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan/ANTARA/Darwin Fatir.

MAKASSAR - Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan responded to President Joko Widodo's statement that a president is not prohibited from taking sides and campaigns during the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres) as long as it is guided by campaign rules and cannot use state facilities. Zulhas agrees with Jokowi.

"Regents, DPRs, I am a minister. The president is a public office, a political office. So, I can run for president, I can run for governor, I can run for regent, DPR. If you can, let alone support it. I support this presidential candidate, the presidential candidate is okay, even the first president, if he wants both, he can run alone, "said Zulhas in Makassar, South Sulawesi as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 24.

Zulhas stated that even though he held public positions and political positions, he could express political support.

"This is a public office, a political position. Some say, if that's the case, there's no need to take sides, well, if you're against it, that's right. But that's a right. Like the governor has rights, the DPR has rights, the president has rights, the DPR is elected. The position is chosen, which can't be for example the Regional Secretary, it can't be," he said.

"That's his right, who he wants to support, to choose who and even run alone is allowed. Those who can't use money, state facilities, that's not allowed. For example, the minister is obliged, the vice president is allowed, there is a minister who supports this presidential candidate. Yes, the other presidential candidate is allowed, that's his right," he explained.