Andika Dwi, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo or Jokowi reminded the state civil apparatus (ASN) to be neutral ahead of the 2024 general election. He called on civil servants not to take sides with any of the presidential and vice presidential candidates contesting in the upcoming election.
The President stressed that if any civil servant or acting regional head is found to have shown partiality in this political year, he will use his prerogative to remove them from their positions.
"Don't take sides. Be careful, we are monitoring it. It's very easy to see who is taking sides," he told hundreds of acting regional leaders at the State Palace, on Monday, Oct. 30.
"The Minister of Home Affairs conducts evaluations every three months, doesn't he? But for me, I evaluate it daily. If I see you mereng-mereng (not being neutral), I can replace your position. I can do that every day. That's my prerogative," Jokowi remarked.
Despite the President's warning, several state officials were found to have explicitly expressed support for one of the candidate pairs. One of them was Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Paiman Raharjo.
Based on a short video obtained by Tempo on Oct. 30, Paiman allegedly led a meeting to discuss support for vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the President's eldest son. Paiman denied attending the event as a minister but rather as the chairman of the volunteer group that has backed Jokowi since 2012.