Ministers Who Like To Dress Up For The Presidential Election Are Better Off Resigning Or Being Dismissed By Jokowi

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr

JAKARTA - The ministers identified as campaigning for the 2024 presidential election have been asked to resign from the cabinet of President Joko Widodo's government.

Political observer from Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, believes that there are two reasons why ministers who want to run for the presidential election should resign. First, the minister concerned will no longer focus on carrying out his duties and functions (tupoksi). According to him, it will affect the performance of the minister.

"In fact, when ministers focus on carrying out their main tasks and functions, their performance is flat. Therefore, it makes sense that the performance of ministers is doubtful if they join the campaign," said Jamiluddin in Jakarta, Friday, May 13.

"People will object if the minister does not focus on his main duties. Because ministers are paid from the people's money," he continued.

Second, it is difficult to separate the use of funds and facilities used by the minister during the campaign. Whether during the campaign the minister used the ministry's funds and facilities or his personal or political party.

"The minister will find it difficult to separate the budget used for accommodation costs when campaigning somewhere. Of course this will be detrimental to the state if the budget is taken from his ministry," explained Jamiluddin.

However, according to Jamiluddin, sincerity to resign from office seems difficult for ministers identified as campaigners. Therefore, President Jokowi should have the courage to dismiss his assistants.

"If the minister does not resign, President Joko Widodo should have dismissed him. The problem is, does Jokowi dare to dismiss his ministers?" he said.

Previously, Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin asked ministers to stay focused on work, not campaigning. Ma'ruf's statement is in line with the statement by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who asked his cabinet members to remain focused on the issue of the pandemic and the global economy. ," said Ma'ruf after attending the National Sports Grand Design Implementation Meeting (DBON) at the Vice President's Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, May 11.