KPU: If The President Campaigns He Asks For Leave To Himself

Chairman of the KPU Hasyim Asy'ari (left) and Secretary General of the KPU Bernad Dermawan Sutrisno (right) participated in the Simultaneous Inauguration of KPPS and the Awarding of MURI Records at the Merlynn Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday (25/1/2024). BETWEEN PHOTO/Sulthony Hasanuddin/foc.

Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari explained that if President Joko Widodo decided to participate in the campaign during the 2024 general election, he would apply for leave to himself.

"He applied for leave (to himself), yes, there is only one president," said Hasyim in response to reporters' questions reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 25.

Hasyim explained the president's political right to be involved in a protected campaign and regulated by laws and regulations.

Article 281 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning elections regulates the procedures for the president to participate in campaigns, including having to take leave because during his campaign activities, the president is prohibited from using state facilities, except for security facilities from the presidential security forces (paspampres).

In the regulation, the president also takes leave outside of state responsibilities, which means the president does not get salaries and allowances if he participates in the campaign.

Meanwhile, the same rules also apply to the ministers involved in the campaign.

"The minister who will campaign for a permit to the president, and then the president gives a permit. And, every letter made by the ministers for the campaign, the permit issued by the president, the KPU always gets a copy," said Hasyim.

President Joko Widodo, after attending an activity at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Wednesday (24/1), said that the president as a citizen also has political rights, one of which is the right to campaign.

President Jokowi explained that this right is protected and regulated by laws and regulations.

"All that holds the rules, if the rules are allowed, please, if the rules are not allowed, no, it's clear. Don't let the president not, you can campaign. But whether it is done or not, it is up to each individual," said Jokowi.

"Even so, Jokowi has not decided whether to take his political rights or not, during the 2024 election stage. Yes, it will be seen later," said Jokowi.

If the president decides to leave for the campaign, Hasyim emphasized that his supervision will be under the authority of the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu).