REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Presidential candidate number 1 Anies Baswedan asked Indonesian President Joko Widodo 'Jokowi' to be neutral in the 2024 presidential election contest. This followed Jokowi's comments on the third presidential debate on defence issues.

In the third debate that took place at Istora Senayan on Sunday (7/1/2024) evening, the 2nd deputy, who is also the active Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto, attacked each other with Anies. The next day, President Jokowi made his comments about the debate by saying it was unfortunate that the presidents attacked each other personally.

Jokowi also made a comment about Anies who called for defense data to be made public by stating that many defense and security data are confidential. Jokowi used the narrative that defence data could not be opened as easily as a 'grocery store'.

When asked for a response, Anies said he was shocked by Jokowi's comments. He questioned why the president even commented on the presidential debate. For this reason, Anies also asked that Jokowi be neutral as he promised some time ago.

“I don't know if the president helped (Prabowo Subianto) or not. Like his statement I hold that he is neutral,” Anies said on the sidelines of campaigning in Sulawesi on Tuesday (9/1/2024).

The former governor of Jakarta stressed that he hoped that Jokowi would uphold neutrality in the political scene, which is heating up at the moment. As promised by Jokowi.

“We are of the view that (neutrality) should continue to be maintained,” he stressed.

When asked further, whether or not the attitude of the head of state commenting on the capres debate is ethical, Anies put that back to the community or the public. “Let the public judge (whether Jokowi is ethical or unethical),” he said.

It is known that President Jokowi repeatedly discussed the issue of neutrality and the importance of the electoral process and presidential elections in 2024 democratically and without any intervention.

On Monday (30/10/2023), Jokowi held a luncheon with the three presidents at the State Palace. Jokowi revealed the reason he held the lunch together was to send a message that differences in political choice and competition are natural.

“I invited the presidential candidates to lunch together to give the message that democracy is so, compete please, compete please, competition is ordinary and natural political differences are also common and natural,” Jokowi said.

During the luncheon, Anies Baswedan reportedly asked President Jokowi to maintain neutrality in 2024. “During lunch I said to him, sir, I met so many people who are dear to the president, who, dear, want the president to remain neutral,” Anies said on Monday (30/10).

Anies also asked President Jokowi to reaffirm to state civil apparatus (ASN) throughout Indonesia to maintain neutrality. He believes that President Jokowi has captured that message well.

After that, Anies revealed, President Jokowi responded to deliver the message to ASN-ASN across Indonesia. President Jokowi promised to ensure that message was delivered.

“Of course we believe, it's not what to do (believe), it is, of course we believe, we must believe,” Anies said.

Anies expressed his appreciation to President Jokowi for responding positively to the message. According to Anies, President Jokowi also asked him about the current conditions on the ground.

“I convey, all we need is neutrality, it's me we need,” Anies said.

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