PDI-P Ministers Stay in the Cabinet
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has said it remains committed to supporting the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, even as several ministers consider resigning over the President’s apparent support of his son’s nomination on a rival ticket. The split between the First Family and the PDI-P, Jokowi’s chief political vehicle for more than two decades, has raised questions about whether the largest party in the ruling coalition will pull its support from the government altogether. “Serving as ministers, at least for the PDI-P, means taking responsibility for the nation, as the job is to assist the Indonesian President, whoever the President is,” PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said in a statement on Saturday. While he acknowledged that some PDI-P-aligned ministers had reservations about continuing to work for the President, he said the party never put pressure on its ministers to quit the cabinet. Analysts also point to another reason to remain supportive of President Jokowi: parliamentary elections. Knowing of Jokowi’s 70%+ support among voters, PDI-P cannot afford a full rupture given its desire to maintain its 20% threshold of Parliamentary seats.
Campaigns Begin
Campaigning for the 2024 general election officially kicked off on Tuesday, a day after candidates pledged to maintain peace on the campaign trail while poll officials and law enforcers geared up for what is set to be the nation’s most ambitious election year yet. Indonesia will hold its largest simultaneous elections on Feb. 14, 2024, when voters head to the ballot to elect the next president, vice president, lawmakers and councilors. At stake is the future of Southeast Asia’s largest economy, and that of a generation of young voters who stand to lose a lot if the election once again deeply divides the people. On Monday, representatives from 18 political parties contesting next year’s race, as well as the three presidential tickets and their political sponsors, gathered at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Central Jakarta to declare their commitment to a “peaceful campaign”. (Jakarta Post)