Affirm Again The President May Campaign, Jokowi To Print Paper Writing Articles Of The Election Law

President Jokowi points out the article on the Election Law / PHOTO: Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo reiterated that a president is allowed to participate in campaigns during the election. Jokowi's affirmation was made after his previous statement sparked a polemic.

Unexpectedly, Jokowi has prepared a paper with the captions Article 299 and Article 281 of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections. Explanations regarding the president are allowed to campaign and blue and yellow are added as a form of affirmation to read.

"I convey the provisions of the legislation, I show this. Law Number 7 of 2017 clearly states in Article 299 that the president and vice president have the right to carry out campaigns. Obviously," said Jokowi at the Bogor Palace, Friday, January 26.

Jokowi also read out the contents of Article 281 which was clearly written in the paper print. In its rules, campaigns and elections that include the president and vice president must meet the provisions, not use facilities in positions except security facilities, and undergo leave outside of state dependents.

"It's all clear, really. Once again, don't pull it anywhere. Don't let the celebration go anywhere, I only convey the provisions of the legislation because they are asked," said Jokowi.

Previously, Jokowi emphasized that everyone has political and democratic rights, including ministers. In fact, Jokowi said that a president may take sides and campaign.

"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 Jokowi at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Wednesday, January 24.

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.

"We are public officials as well as political officials. You can't do this, you can't do politics, you can't. The Minister is also allowed," Jokowi continued.

Even so, Jokowi did not explain much about the certainty of no conflict of interest if the president and ministers sided with certain pairs in the 2024 presidential election. He only said that the law only prohibits the use of state facilities.

"That's all, the one who arranges it can't only use state facilities. That's all," he concluded.