1-2-2024 (JAKARTA) Indonesian President Joko Widodo is facing growing public backlash due to accusations of political interference and lack of neutrality as he actively supports a leading candidate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for this month.
While President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, has not explicitly endorsed any of the three candidates running in the February 14 election, he has been making high-profile appearances alongside frontrunner Prabowo Subianto, who has chosen Jokowi’s son as his running mate.
According to Indonesian regulations, sitting presidents are allowed to campaign for candidates as long as they do not utilize state resources and take official leave to do so. However, previous incumbents have traditionally maintained a neutral stance.
Since October, when the eligibility criteria were adjusted by the top court to allow Jokowi’s 36-year-old son to run alongside Defence Minister Prabowo, the president has faced mounting allegations of ethical and legal violations.
In response to the controversy, Jokowi has repeatedly clarified his position and even presented print-outs of the election law to reporters in an attempt to clear his name. He stated, “Yes, a president can participate in the campaign. Yes, a president can choose a side. All of that is permissible as long as state facilities are not used,” after attending a defense event alongside Prabowo.
Critics argue that Jokowi has disregarded election laws by seemingly campaigning for Prabowo while attending official government functions and sharing meals together. Rival candidates have also accused state agencies of disrupting their rallies and removing campaign materials along the campaign trail. Ade Chandra, a spokesperson for rival presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, mentioned, “Some of our campaign activities were indeed canceled or not allowed by various local governments…and non-governmental entities, which were likely influenced by those in power.”
There have been reports in the media alleging that state rice handouts included Prabowo campaign stickers, leading to complaints from other candidates. The government, however, has denied that any specific candidate benefits from the state social assistance program.
The discontent with Jokowi’s actions has extended to his cabinet as well. Chief security minister Mahfud MD, who is also a vice presidential candidate on a rival ticket, has announced his intention to resign soon.
A group of academics at Jokowi’s alma mater, Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, has issued a petition highlighting the president’s “disregard for political principles” and urging him to “return to the democratic path.”
Approximately 205 million voters are registered to participate in the world’s third-largest democracy as they choose a successor to Jokowi, who has served two terms and is restricted by the constitution. With a significant 20-point lead in opinion polls, 72-year-old Prabowo is considered the clear favorite, a position largely attributed to the support of the incumbent president.
