Prabowo's Support For Luthfi-Yasin Can Trigger Public Resistance In The 2024 Central Java Gubernatorial Election

Photo caption: President Prabowo Subianto when asking for support for Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin Maimoen in the 2024 Central Java Gubernatorial Election. (screenshot of IG Ahmad Luthfi)

JAKARTA UIN political observer Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Bakir Ihsan assessed that President Prabowo Subianto should have been able to hold back more so that it was not political ethics by openly campaigning for Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin Maimoen's pair in the 2024 Central Java (Central Java) Pilgub.

Prabowo should have realized that loyalty to the party ended when he became president because as president he was loyal to the state and nation and all parties," he said, Sunday, November 17, 2024.

He emphasized that Prabowo's attitude was different from that shown by Joko Widodo when he was still president ahead of the 2017 DKI Jakarta Pilkada. At that time, although it was near Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok who was promoted by the PDI-P, Jokowi did not openly campaign for the Ahok-Djarot pair.

Therefore, Prabowo's support for Lutfhi-Yasin is like denying the existence of the Andika Prakasa-Hendrar Prihadi pair. As president, Prabowo should invite all Central Javanese people to participate in the gubernatorial election by choosing according to his conscience.

"If that's what Prabowo does, he will become president for all groups. On the other hand, the support shown by Prabowo to Luthfi-Yasin could be a blunder that triggers the resistance of residents in Central Java," explained Bakir.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto who is also the General Chair of the Gerindra Party openly invited Central Java residents to choose the pair Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin Maimoen. The invitation was recorded in a five-minute video uploaded to Ahmad Luthfi's verified Instagram account, @ahmadluthfi_official, Saturday (9/11). In the video, Prabowo appears to be monologous accompanied by Luthfi and Taj.

"I ask my people in Central Java for elections in regional heads who come in Central Java, I beg you very much, give your message to General Ahmad Luthfi and Gus Taj Yasin Maimoen," said Prabowo.

Prabowo stated that the Luthfi-Yasin duo was the most appropriate couple to lead Central Java because of their experience and performance records. In addition, the central government will easily cooperate with the Central Java Provincial Government if Luthfi-Yasin wins the 2024 Central Java gubernatorial election.