Hasan Nasbi Affirms There is No Prohibition on Prabowo Supporting Gubernatorial Candidates in the 2024 Regional Elections

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 general chairman of the party. As the general chairman of the party, he signs recommendations to nominate regional head candidates. This means that he supports certain candidates,” explained Hasan.

Hasan conveyed this in response to President Prabowo’s video of support for campaigning for the Central Java Governor-Deputy Governor candidates Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin.

Hasan added that the neutrality provision only applies 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 of course a candidate who is also supported by him. Ministers from political parties are also allowed to endorse candidates, and are even allowed to 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 office facilities and apply for leave if they campaign on a weekday.

Meanwhile, an academic from Al Azhar Indonesia University, 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 meddling. Meddling is intervening legally and politically,” Ujang emphasized.

He explained that the support given by Prabowo was a political right that he had, both as president and general chairman of the party.

“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 is allowed to campaign, as long as he follows the provisions and laws in force,” he added.

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