Relax Responding To Jokowi's Alleged Covert Campaign, Anies: People Can Assess

Presidential candidate (candidate) number 1, Anies Baswedan. (Ist)

There were allegations that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) used his work activities as a hidden campaign practice for presidential candidate number 2 who is also the Minister of Defense (Menhan), Prabowo Subianto. Jokowi's alleged covert campaign for this was also revealed by the Ganjar-Mahfud National Winning Team (TPN) after the head of state ate meatballs with Prabowo, accompanied by a number of artists and influencers. Responding to this, presidential candidate number 1, Anies Baswedan admitted that he was not worried about Jokowi's attitude, which seemed to have shown his part in the 2024 presidential election. He also submitted an assessment to the public. "The public can judge. Come on, let's take care of the atmosphere ahead of the presidential election, it becomes a calm, friendly atmosphere," said Anies in Sumenep, East Java, Wednesday, January 31. According to Anies, in the current reform era, the country's leaders actually protect all parties. Side by side with one of the camps, for Anies, it is tantamount to returning Indonesia to the New Order era. "If unethical practices are carried out, the people themselves will judge later. I believe the Indonesian people want honest elections, fair implementation, implementation that uses ethics," explained Anies. A few days ago, President Joko Widodo invited Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to eat at a meatball stall in Bandongan, Magelang, Central Java, after inaugurating Graha Utama of the Magelang Military Academy. "Yes, this was earlier, this was just me and Pak Prabowo inaugurating Graha Utama at the Magelang Military Academy, after that, eating meatballs, already," said Jokowi after eating meatballs with Prabowo, Monday, January 29. Jokowi and Prabowo eat at the Bakso Pak Sholeh stall, Bandongan area, Magelang, with orders for tea to young coconut drinks. Their activities were also witnessed by the surrounding community. Jokowi and Prabowo admitted to talking about meatballs, young coconuts to fried tofu. "Eat meatballs, the meatballs are good, that's all. Chatting meatballs, chatting young coconuts, chatting tofu and fried, that's it," he explained.

When asked why he often invited the general chairman of political parties to eat together, Jokowi replied because eating is a good activity. "Yes, eating is good," he said. Political analyst and Executive Director of Algebra Strategic, Arifki Chaniago assessed that eating meatballs in the style of Jokowi and Prabowo had their own impression. Although it looks normal, Jokowi's symbol of support for Prabowo is read to be getting stronger. "Eating meatballs together is normal in daily life for Indonesians. However, this is the problem that Prabowo and Jokowi eat meatballs. The symbolic message is certainly very strong, especially during the momentum of the presidential election," said Arifki in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 30. According to Arifki, the symbolic meeting will bring up many public interpretations. The more discussed, he said, would actually benefit the presidential candidate number 2 ahead of the voting day for the 2024 presidential election.