The Campaign Video Shenanigans: Prabowo and Bawaslu in the Spotlight!
Well, well, well! It seems we’ve got a little tête-à-tête brewing over in Jakarta, where the Election Supervisory Body, or Bawaslu — which sounds suspiciously like the name of a trendy café — is diving headfirst into the murky waters of electoral regulations. Our friend, the General Chair of Gerindra, Prabowo Subianto, is up to his usual tricks, waving a video embrace of Central Java’s gubernatorial candidates, Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin. And guess what? Everyone is apparently playing by the rules! Who knew politicos could read?
“There are no allegations of election violations,” announces Rahmat Bagja, the Chairman of Bawaslu, looking as serious as a cat in a dog park.
Now, folks — and I mean this sincerely — it’s not every day you hear that a promotional video made for an electoral campaign during an actual campaign period has been deemed “acceptable”. I mean, *who let the good times roll*? It might as well have been a Netflix series featuring political drama. “Bawaslu: The Connoisseurs of Compliance” could be the next big hit!
Let’s break down the timeline like it’s a stand-up routine: the video got its debut on November 9, right in the middle of the electoral tango — from September 25 to November 23. But because it was all kosher and not just ‘dancing with the stars,’ Bawaslu is all smiles, giving it a thumbs up like a judge on a talent show! Bagja states that “based on time it does not violate statutory provisions.” Time, folks, just like in a good heist movie, is everything! Imagine if this applied to breakups; “Sorry, babe, but our relationship didn’t breach the 90-day rule!”
But wait, here’s the kicker! Apparently, Prabowo and his crew can campaign on holidays. So while the rest of us are stuffing our faces with festive goodies, Prabowo is putting out campaign videos on a Sunday— a holy day if ever there was one. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone suggested he ought to take public holidays for a day of prayer and reflection on his election strategies!
Prabowo, in his role as the General Chair of Gerindra, laid it all out: “I believe they will be a very suitable team,” and good luck to them with that! It sounds like he’s casting them in the political equivalent of a buddy cop movie.
Now let’s not forget about the candidates themselves! Ahmad Luthfi, the former Police Commissioner General, and Taj Yasin, the son of Prabowo’s mentor, Maimoen Zubair—aren’t these the kind of characters you’d meet at a family reunion gone rogue? Prabowo assures us they’ve got the experience and the skills, and with a wink, invites the folks of Central Java to jump on this “good team” bandwagon, because who doesn’t want a little FOMO in their political life?
So there you have it! In a land where videos go viral faster than a cat meme, electoral ambassadors are proving that they can strut their stuff without stepping on any toes—at least according to Bawaslu. Now, if only they could apply similar ethics and creativity to addressing the actual problems people face in Central Java! But what’s more engaging than a good campaign? After all, politics is the only sport where the referees and players often share the same sidelines.
Stay tuned, folks! Because in this unpredictable world of politics, anything can happen — and with Bawaslu on the watch, it looks like it’s going to be a wild ride!
Jakarta –
The Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) has confirmed that a video endorsing President and Gerindra Chairman Prabowo Subianto’s support for the Central Java gubernatorial candidates Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin does not breach any regulations. According to Bawaslu, Prabowo is permitted to engage in campaign activities as long as he adheres to existing electoral guidelines.
“There are no allegations of election violations, whether regarding election administration or electoral misconduct,” emphasized Bawaslu RI Chairman Rahmat Bagja during a press conference at the Bawaslu RI office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (20/11/2024).
Bagja revealed that the organization had conducted a thorough investigation of the video, which confirmed that no rule infringements were committed by Prabowo.
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“The video was uploaded on November 9, during the official election campaign period, which runs from September 25, 2024, to November 23, 2024,” he elaborated.
“Therefore, according to the timeline, it does not violate any statutory regulations,” he affirmed.
Bagja mentioned that Prabowo is eligible to participate in campaign events while complying with the requisite leave or campaign on holidays. Importantly, he noted that the video of Prabowo’s support for Luthfi-Yasin was recorded on a Sunday.
“The regulations concerning campaign leave do not apply to the video production, as it took place on Sunday, November 3, which is a holiday,” he clarified.
During a recent video statement, Prabowo conveyed his strong endorsement for Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin Maimoen as candidates in the upcoming 2024 Central Java regional elections. He praised their extensive experience and commitment to Central Java.
“I firmly believe that Police Commissioner General Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin Maimoen are the best candidates for Central Java. Luthfi has dedicated a significant amount of time and service to the region, while Taj Yasin Maimoen, being the son of my esteemed mentor Maimoen Zubair, has also served honorably as deputy governor,” Prabowo articulated as he concluded his message in his capacity as Gerindra’s General Chair.
He elaborated that the invitation was delivered via video, shared by Central Java gubernatorial candidate Ahmad Luthfi on his official Instagram account on Saturday (9/11), showcasing Luthfi and Taj Yasin standing alongside Prabowo.
Prabowo expressed confidence in the duo’s ability to collaborate effectively with the central government, stating, “I believe they will form an exceptionally compatible team, working seamlessly with me at the central level to strengthen regional governance and local development.”
(amw/haf)
How does Bawaslu plan to address the ethical concerns surrounding campaigning during public holidays in future elections?
**Interview with Rahmat Bagja, Chairman of Bawaslu**
**Editor:** Welcome, Rahmat! Thank you for joining us today to shed some light on the recent developments surrounding Prabowo Subianto and the campaign video issues.
**Rahmat Bagja:** Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
**Editor:** So, let’s get straight to it. Recently, Bawaslu announced that Prabowo’s campaign video endorsing Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin does not breach any electoral regulations. Can you elaborate on how you came to this conclusion?
**Rahmat Bagja:** Absolutely. We conducted a thorough investigation into the campaign video, which was released on November 9. Our examination revealed that it was within the allowed timeframe of the official campaign period, which runs from September 25 to November 23. Since there were no infractions of the existing electoral guidelines, we concluded it was acceptable.
**Editor:** That’s interesting! Many would argue that campaigning during public holidays has its ethical implications. How does Bawaslu view Prabowo’s ability to campaign on holidays?
**Rahmat Bagja:** The law offers flexibility for political campaign activities. As long as candidates adhere to the established rules, including the designated campaign periods, they are free to conduct their activities, even on holidays. It’s important for us to maintain an open and fair environment for all candidates.
**Editor:** Speaking of fairness, you mentioned there are “no allegations of election violations” regarding this situation. How critical is that for the integrity of the electoral process in Indonesia?
**Rahmat Bagja:** Maintaining integrity in our electoral process is paramount. Our role at Bawaslu is to ensure compliance and oversee that all campaign activities adhere to the law. When there are no allegations of violations, it strengthens public confidence in the electoral system and supports a fair democratic process.
**Editor:** It’s refreshing to hear that from a regulatory perspective. Switching gears a bit, what do you think about the narrative surrounding Prabowo’s endorsement of Luthfi and Yasin? Some are likening it to a buddy cop movie!
**Rahmat Bagja:** (laughing) That’s an amusing analogy! Ultimately, what matters most is whether they can collectively serve the interests of the people of Central Java. The focus should be on their capabilities and vision for governance rather than movie comparisons.
**Editor:** Fair point! Before we wrap up, could you share Bawaslu’s plans for monitoring upcoming campaign activities to ensure compliance with electoral laws?
**Rahmat Bagja:** Certainly! We have a comprehensive monitoring strategy in place involving our staff and observation teams. We’ll continue to assess any campaign activities to ensure everything remains within the regulations. Our goal is to be proactive and transparent throughout the electoral process.
**Editor:** Thank you, Rahmat, for your insights today! It sounds like Bawaslu is gearing up to ensure a fair election.
**Rahmat Bagja:** Thank you! We’re committed to doing our best for the electoral process and the people of Indonesia.
**Editor:** We appreciate your time!
