Hasan Nasbi Stresses There is No Prohibition on Prabowo Supporting Gubernatorial Candidate in 2024 Regional Elections
Jakarta – Head of the Presidential Communications Office, Hasan Nasbi, emphasized that there is no rule prohibiting President Prabowo from campaigning for regional head candidates, as long as it is done in accordance with applicable provisions.
“There is no rule prohibiting Mr. Prabowo from endorsing candidates. Mr. Prabowo is the party’s general chairman. As the party’s general chairman, he signs recommendations to nominate regional head candidates. This means he supports certain candidates,” Hasan explained.
Hasan said this in response to President Prabowo’s video of support for the Central Java Governor-Deputy Governor candidate Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin.
Hasan added that the neutrality provisions only apply to the TNI, Polri, and State Civil Apparatus (ASN), not to the president or state officials from political parties.
“The candidate recommended by Mr. Prabowo’s Party (Gerindra) is certainly a candidate who is also supported by him. Ministers from political parties are also allowed to endorse candidates, and even campaign,” he said.
According to Hasan, President Prabowo and other state officials are allowed to participate in the campaign, on the condition that they do not abuse their official facilities and apply for leave if they campaign on a working day.
Meanwhile, an academic from Al Azhar University Indonesia, Ujang Komarudin, also dismissed the notion that Prabowo’s support in the form of the video was political intervention or meddling.
“Yes, in the context of making a video, I don’t think it’s interfering. Interfering is intervening legally and politically,” Ujang said firmly.
He explained that the support given by Prabowo was a political right that he had, both as president and as the party’s general chairman.
“If there is a video circulating giving support to Ahmad Luthfi, that 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,” he added.
