“The President will not interfere in the regional elections. He is in a neutral position,” said Johan Budi as reported by tribunnews.com on Monday in response to a statement made by AM Fatwa, a senior figure of Muhammadiyah, the second-largest Islamic organization in the country.

Previously, Fatwa has called on the President not to prevent Ridwan, better known as Emil, from taking part in the election.

“President Jokowi must not prevent Ridwan Kamil from going to Jakarta,” said Fatwa, who said that Ridwan would be tough competitor for incumbent governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.

The Gerindra Party initially nominated Ridwan, who is considered as one of the most successful regional leaders, as a Jakarta gubernatorial candidate. However, Emil later decided not to take part in the election, saying that he would complete his term as Bandung mayor.

After meeting with Jokowi in February, Emil acknowledged that one of the reasons he decided to not contest the election was Jokowi advice that he should not pursue the Jakarta governorship, while his job as Bandung mayor had not been completed.

“Ahok (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) and I, said the President, are two regional leaders who are appreciated [by the public]. We should not compete with each other. If Pak Ahok loses, he will be jobless, while if I lose, I will be jobless,” said Emil after meeting Jokowi in February, recalling the President’s advice.

Jokowi left his position as Surakarta mayor to take part in the Jakarta gubernatorial election and he left his position as Jakarta governor to take part in the presidential election when he was less than two years into a five-year term as Jakarta governor. (bbn)

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