TPN Ganjar-Mahfud Still Believes The Government Can Maintain Neutrality Even Though There Is A Dismissal Of Billboards

JAKARTA - The head of the Ganjar-Mahfud MD National Winning Team (TPN), Arsjad Rasjid, believes that the government's neutrality in the Presidential Election (Pilpres) will be maintained despite the removal of billboards and attributes of the PDI-P (PDIP) in Bali.

"The time of not believing (neutrality can be maintained, ed). Believe me, believe me (with the neutrality of the government in the 2024 presidential election, ed)," Arsjad told reporters at the High End building, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 1.

Arsjad did not want to talk much about removing Ganjar-Mahfud billboards. However, every candidate pair is said to have the same rights, including to install billboards.

"This is a democratic party," he said.

"Everything has rights, that's all," continued Arsjad.

Arsjad emphasized that TPN is more focused on winning the pair promoted by PDIP, the United Development Party (PPP), the Hanura Party, and the Perindo Party.

"We have to make sure that work quickly, if not, we are left behind, so for that, for that challenge we have to make sure," he said.

Previously reported, billboards depicting Ganjar-Mahfud MD in the Gianyar area, Bali were removed by Satpol PP on Tuesday, October 31 at around 10.30 WITA. The removal was carried out ahead of President Jokowi's working visit.

Responding to this, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto alluded to the politics of discrimination because this did not happen to Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka's billboards when Jokowi went to West Sumatra on October 25.

"Previously, the President gathered the Acting Officers, yes, and then gave various directions that all governor officials could carry out their duties as well as possible. However, an incident that we don't think needs to be done because of the political discrimination," Hasto told reporters at the High End building, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 1.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo also questioned the reason for the removal. He said, if it does not violate the rules, this step actually tends to be excessive.

"I'm trying to wonder why I was removed, yes, indeed if someone violates it please take it off, but if no one violates it, then it shouldn't be too much," said Ganjar after attending Mukernas V, the Indonesian Regional Public TV Radio Association at Prama Sanur Beach, Bali on Wednesday, November 1.