Indonesia – lack of neutrality scandal

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is facing mounting public criticism over his perceived political interference and lack of neutrality as he campaigns for the leading candidate in this month’s presidential election, according to Reuters.

While Jokowi, as the president is known, has not explicitly endorsed any of the three candidates in the Feb. 14 election, he has made highly-publicised appearances with frontrunner Prabowo Subianto, who is running with the leader’s son as his candidate for vice president.

In Indonesia, sitting presidents are allowed to campaign for candidates provided they do not use state resources and take official leave to do so, but incumbents have typically remained neutral.
But since October, when a top court tweaked eligibility rules to allow Jokowi’s 36-year-old son to run with Defence Minister Prabowo, the president has faced mounting allegations of ethical and legal breaches.

The public criticism has prompted Jokowi to repeatedly clarify his stance and even show reporters print-outs of the election law to clear his name.

“Yes, a president can join the campaign. Yes, a president can pick a side. All that is permitted as long as he does not use state facilities,” he told reporters.

Critics say he has flouted election laws by appearing to campaign for Prabowo while attending government functions and meals together, and rival candidates allege state agencies have disrupted rallies and torn down promotional materials on the campaign trail.