Observer: Jokowi's 'Ojo Kesusu' Statement Is Only A Joke, But Will Become A King Maker

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo (left) and President Jokowi. (Twitter @ganjarpranowo)

JAKARTA - Political observer from the Indonesia Public Institute (IPI) Karyono Wibowo, assesses that President Joko Widodo's statement to Projo so as not to rush in supporting the presidential candidate is only a joke or joke in front of his volunteers.

Moreover, the sentence 'we support being here', Karyono said, was just a greeting to the figures who attended the event. Incidentally, there is the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, who is predicted to be a presidential candidate for 2024.

"In my opinion, Jokowi's statement is just a joke, just a joke, not serious. It means that everything is supported, because his statement has not been narrowed down regarding who is supported," Karyono told VOI, Tuesday, May 24.

On the other hand, Karyono views that there are two points that have multiple interpretations from Jokowi's statement. First, the president urges Projo not to rush to support the candidate pair. Second, the sentence 'support those who are here' has a wing, whether it is Ganjar or another character or it could be Projo himself.

More than that, of course Jokowi also considers other things if he openly supports Ganjar. This is because PDIP, which is his party, has two presidential candidates, namely Ganjar and DPR chairman Puan Maharani.

Related to this, Karyono believes that at this time Jokowi is still neutral even until the registration of the cawapres candidate begins. "I think that until the registration stage for the presidential and vice presidential candidates, it seems that Jokowi will maintain his neutrality," said Karyono.

In addition, the figure who is supported by Jokowi also coincides with General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri. Where the PDIP presidential candidate is influenced by Megawati's decision, while Jokowi also has hope that the next president can continue the unfinished development.

"Therefore, the president will be careful in determining which candidate pairs will be supported. And will be faced with the choice of supporting or neutral," said Karyono.

"If you have to support it, the consideration is that the candidate who is supported must have a probability of victory, which is measured from a survey of who has the highest electability so that it can be estimated who will lead," he continued.

According to Karyono, there is a dilemma in PDIP where there are two candidates for the presidential candidate. However, this right is still dynamic because competition can occur both internally and externally by political parties.

"I think it will be beautiful in its time. And when Megawati announces who the presidential candidate will be, it will be finished," said Karyono.

So will Jokowi be the 'King Maker' in the 2024 presidential election?

Related to this, Karyono ensured that Jokowi was behind the winner of the presidential election. Because, he has a strong influence to win the candidate who has the most potential to be voted by the people.

"I see Jokowi as the most influential king maker. Two figures are Megawati and Jokowi. Megawati holds the political configuration, Jokowi has political power because he still holds power and is a strong king maker," said Karyono.

It's just about the figure, Karyono can not predict who will be supported by Jokowi. According to him, Jokowi will definitely consider electability as a non-negotiable condition.

"The criteria are of course through many considerations, integrity, competence capability, and commitment to continue development and others," explained Karyono.

"A condition that cannot be ignored is electability. It becomes important who deserves to be promoted as president because all political parties want to win," he added.