Academics: President Prabowo Did Not Intervene in Central Java Regional Elections, and Did Not Break the Law
Jakarta – Al Azhar University Indonesia academic Ujang Komarudin said that the video of support from the President of the Republic of Indonesia who is also the General Chair of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, for the Central Java gubernatorial candidate pair, Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin, is not political intervention and does not violate the law.
According to Ujang, President Prabowo did not intervene either politically or legally.
Regarding the support video, Ujang emphasized that it was not an act of intervention.
“Yes, in the context of making a video, I think it is not an intervention and also does not violate applicable laws,” said Ujang in Jakarta.
Ujang added that the video of support for Ahmad Lutfhi in the 2024 Central Java Pilkada was the right of President Prabowo Subianto.
“If there is a video circulating giving support to Ahmad Luthfi, it is the right of the President and the right of Prabowo. Because it is permissible to support. The President may campaign, as long as he follows the provisions and laws in force,” concluded Ujang.
Ujang reminded that from the beginning it was very clear that the Gerindra Party, which is led by Prabowo Subianto, supports and nominates Ahmad Lutfhi in the 2024 Central Java Pilkada.
Meanwhile, the Head of Presidential Communications also conveyed the same thing. The Palace through the Head of Presidential Communications, Hasan Nasbi, emphasized that there is no rule prohibiting President Prabowo Subianto from endorsing candidates in the 2024 Pilkada.
Hasan said that President Prabowo is currently also the General Chairman of the Gerindra Party.
“There is no rule prohibiting Mr. Prabowo from endorsing a candidate. Mr. Prabowo is the General Chairman of the Party,” Hasan said in his written statement.
Ujang added that the video of support for Ahmad Lutfhi in the 2024 Central Java Pilkada is the right of President Prabowo Subianto.
Furthermore, Hasan said that as the party’s general chairman, President Prabowo had also signed the recommendation to nominate regional head candidates.
As the party’s general chairman, he signed recommendations to nominate regional head candidates. That means he supports certain candidates, he said.
He also emphasized that regional head candidates who have been recommended by the Party will definitely be supported by President Prabowo.
On another occasion, the Daily Chair of the Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said that the President has the right to express support or campaign as long as he follows the applicable rules, including taking leave while campaigning.
During the campaign, the president can call on and invite the public to vote for a particular candidate pair as long as it is in accordance with laws and regulations, he said.
The provisions for state officials in campaigning are clearly regulated in the KPU Regulation, so that its implementation must comply with the existing conditions and limitations, including the matter of office facilities, concluded Sufmi.
