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Prabowo and other ministers running in 2024 must resign
With all the privileges he enjoys as a cabinet minister, on top of Jokowi’s signal of endorsement, Prabowo will turn the race into an unfair, perhaps even undemocratic, competition.
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President Joko “Joko” Widodo (second right), First Lady Iriana (right), State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir (second left) and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left) enjoy a friendly soccer match between Indonesia and Argentina at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on June 19, 2023. (Presidential Secretariat’s Press Bureau/Laily Rachev)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will very likely appoint a replacement for former agriculture minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who has resigned in connection with a graft case at the ministry. But the President could consider a greater reshuffle: replacing all the ministers who plan to run for office in the 2024 general election.
The amended Elections Law allows Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto to stay in the cabinet even as they run for president or vice president.
Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah, Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Abdul Halim Iskandar, Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo, Law and Human Rights Minister Yassonna Laoly, Deputy Home Minister John Wempi Wetipo, Deputy Trade Minister Jerry Sambuaga, Deputy Tourism and Creative Economic Minister Angela Tanoesoedibjo and Deputy Manpower Minister Afriansyah Noor do not have to resign either if they run for a seat in the legislature, according to the law.
The President told reporters on Sept. 11 that he would let his aides retain their positions despite their focus on elections as long as they took leaves of absence while campaigning. The President believes the bureaucracy can carry out routine activities in their absence.
Prabowo, however, can play a role model as a true statesman. Having consistently led opinion surveys, ahead of other presumptive presidential candidates Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan, Prabowo could resign as defense minister to focus entirely on winning the presidential race.
Prabowo, who also chairs the Gerindra Party, should tell the President, “I quit”, to prevent possible conflict of interest, abuse of power and misuse of state facilities. As long as Prabowo remains in the cabinet, it is almost impossible for him to criticize the Jokowi administration during electoral campaigns or presidential debates.
With all the privileges he enjoys as a cabinet minister, on top of Jokowi’s signal of endorsement, Prabowo will turn the race into an unfair, perhaps even undemocratic, competition.
