Two potential successors of Indonesia’s outgoing President Joko Widodo on Monday thought of him to go on to stay neutral in the run-up to the 2024 election understanding the huge levels of public hating on them, he may be attempting to get back power after leaving office. Presidential candidates Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo appealed the governer to maintain neutrality ahead of the Feb 14, 2024 election, which is also being contested by Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto who is running with the president’s son.
“We many times get to encounter with people who have love for the president and they have a message: the president must maintain neutrality,” Mr Anies, a previous Jakarta governor, told reporters after a lunch with Mr Widodo and the other presidential candidates at the state palace. Democracy activists and political sources have increased questions related to problems over what they recognise as Mr Widodo’s efforts to stay tuned to power and create a political dynasty, specifically after a recent court ruling tweaked eligibility criteria, allowing the president’s eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka to join Mr Prabowo’s ticket.