Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo Must Stand Aside if He Campaigns for Son: PDI-P Campaign Spokesperson Yenny Wahid

From Kompas.TV, January 30, 2024

Ms. Yenny Wahid, daughter of Indonesia’s fourth president, Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, and presidential election campaign advisor for PDI-P-endorsed candidate Mr. Ganjar Pranowo, sees no problem if President Joko Widodo hits the hustings to campaign for his son and vice presidential hopeful Mr. Gibran Rakabuming Raka. At the same time, Ms. Yenny called on President Widodo to stand aside as President before hitting the campaign trail for his son in order to avoid accusations he is misusing government resources.

“It’s perfectly fine if President Widodo wants to campaign for his son. However, we advise him to avoid any negative perceptions of the misuse of state facilities. So we recommend he takes temporary leave (if he does campaign openly),” said Ms. Yenny on Monday, January 29, 2024.

Previously, President Widodo claimed that an (outgoing) president is (legally) able to campaign during elections. Also, he claimed a president is entitled to endorse specific candidates.

Script Writer: Michaela Winda Saputra, Video Jurnalis: Michaela Winda Saputra, Video Editor: Michaela Winda Saputra, Produser: Bagus Santosa

Gibran Bashful At Suggestions He Needs Dad’s Support

From Kompas.TV, January 28, 2024

Vice presidential candidate and son of Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, Mr. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, remained tight-lipped about his father (and outgoing) President Joko Widodo’s statement about the president’s right to endorse candidates, and participate in presidential election campaigns.

The eldest son of President Widodo ironically claimed he had always campaigned independently in various regions without his father going with him. The controversial mayor of the Central Java city of Solo also claimed his father had no intention of joining him on the campaign trail.

Mr. Gibran evaded reporters’ questions about his father’s neutrality as (outgoing) head of state.

Video Jurnalis: Kontributor Bali, Yohanes Valdi Seriang Ginta, Penulis: Yohanes Valdi Seriang Ginta, Script Writer: Elisabeth Putri Mulia, Narator: Elisabeth Putri Mulia, Video editor: Tri Febrianto Gunawan, Produser: Adisty Safitri, Musik: Brooklyn and the Bridge – Nico Staf