JK Urges Jokowi to Stay Out of Politics Ahead of 2024 Election

CNN Indonesia

Saturday, 06 May 2023 23:47 WIB

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

The 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla (JK) reminded President Joko Widodo not to get too involved in the political contestation ahead of the 2024 elections at the end of his term.

The statement was made by JK in response to Jokowi’s move not to invite NasDem Chairman Surya Paloh to a meeting of the Government Coalition Political Parties at the Merdeka Palace, Tuesday (2/5).

“Because the Palace is talking about development affairs or what it is, it’s only natural. But when it comes to development alone, NasDem should be invited. It means there is political talk,” he said in a press conference, Saturday (6/5) evening.

Jusuf Kalla then asked Jokowi to follow the steps of previous presidents such as Megawati and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who were considered able to distance themselves from politics at the end of their term.

“The president should be like Mega’s mother, SBY, when it’s over, don’t involve yourself too much, whether you like it or not, in politics. To make it more democratic,” he said.

Last Tuesday (2/5), Jokowi had just gathered political party officials at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta. PPP said the meeting discussed Ganjar Pranowo’s candidacy for the 2024 presidential election.

On a different occasion, Jokowi dismissed criticism that he had interfered or interceded in the affairs of a coalition of political parties in the 2024 presidential election.

Jokowi said the meeting with a number of political party leaders was limited to discussions, including when gathering top political party officials at the Palace a few days ago.

“Not the cawe-cawe, the people are just having a discussion, how come the cawe-cawe are having a discussion,” Jokowi said at Sarinah, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Thursday (4/5).

Jokowi emphasized that his status was not only head of state, but also a political official, therefore he felt it was natural to have discussions with political parties.

“Please understand that we are also politicians, but also public officials,” he said.

(tfq/fea)