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Ministers don't need to resign to run for president, VP: Jokowi
Jokowi said that ministers need not resign from office and that he would give permission to his cabinet members who would hit the campaign trail once the campaign season begun.
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Last but not least: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (second right) and his running mate Ma’ruf Amin (second left) greet their rivals Prabowo Subianto (third left) and Sandiaga Uno after their fifth and last presidential election debate in Jakarta on April 13, 2019. (TJPImages/Dhoni Setiawan)
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Monday that he would allow ministers in his cabinet to take leave of absence to campaign for their presidential and vice-presidential bids in next year’s election.
Jokowi said that ministers should not resign from office and that he would give permission to his cabinet members who would hit the campaign trail once the campaign season began.
"Of course I will give permission. This has been the practice from years ago," Jokowi told reporters during a visit to a central rice market in East Jakarta on Monday.
Jokowi, however, warned ministers against abusing their office to get ahead in the race.
"The most important thing is that they don't use government facilities, and second if they hit the campaign trail, they should take leave of absence," Jokowi said.
A number of ministers in President Jokowi's cabinet including Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto have announced their plans to run for president in next year's election, while others like State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno have been suggested as potential vice-presidential candidates.
Officials from the General Election Commission (KPU) have said the President has the sole authority to grant leave for cabinet ministers running for office in the 2024 presidential election.
