By: Teguh Rahmadi )*
President Prabowo Subianto, who is also the General Chair of the Gerindra Party, recently gave political support to the gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidate pair Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin, in the 2024 Central Java Pilkada. This support was a topic of discussion, but various parties assured that President Prabowo’s actions did not violate applicable regulations.
Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff, M Qodari, stated that the support given by President Prabowo to the Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin pair was done in his capacity as the chairman of a political party that leads one of the parties supporting the candidate, not as President. This action was considered by several observers and experts not to violate the rules, because President Prabowo did it on a holiday, namely on Sunday.
According to Qodari, President Prabowo’s political support is part of his right as party leader to express support for candidates supported by the Gerindra Party in various regions, including Central Java. According to the law governing campaigns, state officials can convey political support as long as it is done on holidays or campaign leave. In other words, this provision is not limited to President Prabowo, but also applies to leaders of other political parties who campaign for candidates under the auspices of their parties.
Qodari also emphasized that the campaign ban is aimed at the State Civil Apparatus (ASN), TNI, and Polri, so it is not relevant to be applied to President Prabowo who acts as the party chairman. Political support given to candidates supported by the party is basically aimed at strengthening collaboration between the central government and regional governments, especially to support various programs planned by President Prabowo in his position as president.
Qodari added that President Prabowo’s support for Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin aims to make the development programs targeted by the government easier to implement with the support of regional leaders who have a similar vision and commitment to the central government.
Meanwhile, Gerindra Party Daily Chairperson, Ahmad Sufmi Dasco, also stated that Prabowo’s support for the candidate pair was commonplace, considering that President Prabowo is the General Chairperson of the Gerindra Party. Dasco explained that President Prabowo’s actions were in line with applicable provisions, where state officials are allowed to express political support as long as it is done on holidays or campaign leave. This is regulated in Law Number 20 of 2023 concerning State Civil Apparatus and in PKPU Number 13 of 2024.
Dasco also added that President Prabowo’s invitation to the people of Central Java to support Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin did not violate the principle of neutrality because it was clearly done as a form of political party support. As the leader of Gerindra, President Prabowo has the right to direct support to his party’s candidates in various regions of Indonesia.
What President Prabowo did was the same as what other party leaders did in conveying support to the candidates they supported. According to Dasco, President Prabowo only appealed to the public to vote for the pair supported by Gerindra and the coalition, with the intention that Central Java would have a regional head who could synergize with the central government.
On the other hand, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, also emphasized that President Prabowo will be neutral in the 2024 Pilkada, showing that the role as president and party leader can be balanced without causing a conflict of interest. Budi emphasized the importance of the principle of neutrality for election organizers, so that the Pilkada can take place honestly and fairly. He assured the public that this neutral attitude will not be reduced by President Prabowo’s support for certain candidates as party leaders. Therefore, this statement is considered to be able to provide peace of mind to the public that President Prabowo continues to uphold democratic values in the 2024 Pilkada.
President Prabowo’s support for the candidate pair in Central Java was conveyed through a post on Ahmad Luthfi’s social media account. In the video, President Prabowo emphasized his commitment to eradicating corruption and abuse of power in all levels of society, including at the regional government level. President Prabowo expressed his hope that the elected regional heads would be able to work together with the central government in implementing various development programs that are oriented towards the interests of the people.
Overall, President Prabowo’s statements and actions in supporting Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin in the Central Java Pilkada show a consistent position between his political role as party chairman and his position as president. This support has been described by various parties as a legitimate step and in accordance with applicable regulations, as well as an effort to create harmony between the central government and regional governments for the sake of national development. This action also shows that President Prabowo continues to adhere to the principles of democracy and applicable legal rules, even though he actively supports the candidates supported by his party.
)* The author is a contributor to the Nusantara Reading Room