JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet do not need to step down if they want to run in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres).
He also said that there is no prohibition for any minister who intends to compete in the once-ever-five-year political contest. Based on the law and the constitution, said Mahfud, everything can be done.
"There is no prohibition for the minister to declare that he wants to run for president," said Mahfud in a written statement quoted on Saturday, April 16.
It's just that, Mahfud emphasized, any minister who wants to run in the 2024 presidential election but still carries out his position will continue to work optimally. They must carry out their duties according to their respective responsibilities.
"They don't have to resign from their positions. That's okay according to the law and the constitution. As long as they continue to carry out their duties and be responsible," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK).
Moreover, Mahfud does not deny that the government cabinet is often one of the sources for the emergence of state leaders. So, Mahfud said, there is nothing wrong when a minister intends to run in the general election (election).
"Everywhere in the world, the cabinet is a source of recruitment for state leadership. Other sources of recruitment are political parties, state institutions, and civil society organizations," he said.
A number of ministers in the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)-Ma'ruf Amin are said to have the intention to run as presidential candidates in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. This was conveyed by senior PDI-P politician Panda Nababan in an online program.
Those who are said to be intending to advance are Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, BUMN Minister Erick Thohir, to Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno.
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