Bela Jokowi, PAN Says President Talks About Politics Something That Can't Be Avoided

Elite PAN when giving a press statement regarding the results of the Constitutional Court's trial decision at the PAN DPP Office, Jakarta, Thursday 27 June 2019. (ANTARA-Aprillio Akbar)

Deputy General Chairperson (Waketum) of PAN Viva Yoga Mauladi said the presidential position is a public position as well as a political office; so that if President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) participates in talking about politics related to the 2024 presidential election, then it is a necessity.

"The position of president is a political position and public office. When it comes to politics or taking part in the political process, (then it) is something that cannot be avoided, as a necessity or take it for granted," said Viva in a written statement, Tuesday, May 9, confiscated by Antara.

He considered that Jokowi's attitudes and actions regarding the 2024 presidential election were still in the corridor of juridical and ethical.

In addition, he continued, there were no violations of the law and the law if Jokowi often met, discussed, or exchanged ideas with the leadership of the government coalition party.

In fact, said Viva, this must be done so that the government runs well and strong to create a clean and good government.

"If invited by the government coalition party, then discuss the future of the nation, listen to aspirations, can't you do it?" he said.

He said that Jokowi had also provided a wide and free space for anyone to come forward and not prohibit anyone from contesting the 2024 presidential election.

"However, Pak Jokowi has often been a victim of playing victims who build narratives that the government is embezzling certain political figures and parties," he added.

Therefore, he questioned where the error lies if Jokowi had preferences in his position as an individual, as long as he did not deviate from power by using state facilities and power.

"Indeed, what is the problem if President Jokowi leans towards a figure who according to him can continue development and make changes for the nation and state? It is guaranteed by law as long as the president does not abuse of power," he said.

In terms of political ethics, continued Viva, Jokowi's attitude is also not violated if he must establish communication with anyone, be it the general chairmen of political parties to governors.

"With Pak Prabowo, Pak Airlangga, his relationship is close, especially with Bang Zulkifli Hasan because they help in the cabinet. With the governors also close, especially with Ganjar Pranowo because the provincial government is an extension of the central government which has a decentralization and deconcentration function from the central government's policy," said Viva.

He also reminded that President Jokowi has a responsibility to ensure that elections as a constitutional way of democracy bring progress and goodness to the nation and state.

"President Jokowi must not be neutral in the 2024 General Election. He must also actively monitor so that the implementation of elections can run overflowing, jurdil, quality and integrity, safe and peaceful," he said.

Previously, President Jokowi emphasized that he was a public official as well as a political official, so it is natural for him to speak about the political situation.

"In politics, it's normal, normal; and I am a public official as well as a political official. So, it's normal if I talk about politics, yes, it's okay," said Jokowi at Sarinah Mall, Central Jakarta, Thursday, May 4.

Jokowi added that so far he has also talked a lot about public services. According to him, both things are the duty of a president, but he will stop interfering when there is a determination from the General Elections Commission (KPU).

To note, registration for presidential and vice-presidential candidates is scheduled for October 19 to November 25, 2023.

Based on Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections (UU Pemilu), pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates are proposed by political parties or coalitions of political parties participating in the election who meet the requirements for obtaining seats of at least 20 percent of the total seats in the DPR or obtaining 25 percent of valid votes nationally in the previous election for members of the DPR.

Currently, there are 575 seats in parliament, so that pairs of presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the 2024 presidential election must have at least 115 seats in the DPR. It is also possible that the candidate pairs can be promoted by political parties or a combination of political parties participating in the 2019 Election with a total valid vote acquisition of at least 34,992,703 votes.