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Fears of abuse as ministers allowed to campaign 'on leave'
Election observers have raised concerns that allowing ministers to take leave to run and campaign as candidates in the upcoming elections instead of resigning will lead to ethical violations and abuses of power.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (center left) and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin (center right) walk hand-in-hand prior to a photo session with members of their new cabinet on the steps of the State Palace in Jakarta on Oct. 23, 2019. (AFP/Adek Berry)
Election observers have raised concerns that allowing ministers running for elected office to take leave, rather than resigning, could lead to ethical violations and abuses of power, following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to allow cabinet ministers to run as candidates in the upcoming presidential election without requiring them to resign.
On Monday, the President told reporters that he would let any presidential or vice-presidential candidate retain their ministerial positions, as long as they took leave of absence when campaigning.
Several ministers within the cabinet are expected to run in the 2024 election, such as Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto who has declared his intention to run as a presidential candidate.
Other ministers, such as State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno have also been eyed by various parties as vice-presidential candidates.
“The most important thing is that they don’t use government facilities,” Jokowi said. “Our bureaucratic system is advanced enough. [...] Of course, I will allow them.”
Read also: Critics slam KPU for enabling unofficial campaigning
The decision was in contrast to the 2019 election, when ministers were required to resign their offices before campaigning, according to the 2017 Elections Law.
