Not present at the KPU, Mahfud congratulated Prabowo-Gibran

Even though he was not present at the KPU, Mahfud MD expressed his congratulations to the elected presidential and vice presidential candidates, Prabowo-Gibran.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The issue of air pollution is not new. The community has long been threatened by air pollution, and there is a substantial amount of research evidence indicating its harmful impacts. However, this has yet to lead to significant efforts in controlling air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering from the effects of air pollution. Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the newly-elected President and Vice President, approached the presidential and vice-presidential candidate pair Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar after receiving their official appointment letters from the General Election Commission during the open plenary session for the announcement of the elected presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2024 election at the KPU Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Presidential-vice presidential candidate pair number 3, Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD, were not present at the appointment of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka as elected presidential and vice-presidential candidates by the General Election Commission, Wednesday (24/4/2024) . Nevertheless, both of them congratulated Prabowo-Gibran.

KPU held an open plenary meeting to determine the elected presidential and vice presidential candidates 2024 Election at the KPU Building, Jakarta, Wednesday morning. The presidential and vice presidential candidate pair Anies Rasyid Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar attended the event, while Ganjar-Mahfud was absent. Likewise, three of the four political parties supporting Ganjar-Mahfud, namely the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), and the Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo). The United Development Party (PPP) was the only political party supporting Ganjar-Mahfud that attended the appointment of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the elected presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Apart from that, the party supporting Anies-Muhaimin, the Nasdem Party, was also not present in the determination of Prabowo-Gibran as the elected presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The presidential and vice-presidential candidates with number 3, Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD, attended the reading of the decision on the dispute over the results of the 2024 Presidential Election at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta on Monday (22/4/2024).

"I didn't know about the invitation. Only half an hour before the event started, I received a notification through a phone call, 'Are you coming to the KPU?' 'What for?' I asked. Then they told me about the appointment ceremony. So, I wasn't able to make it on time. Therefore, I didn't know about the invitation," Mahfud stated his reason for not attending the KPU.

The former Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security admitted that he no longer knows the agendas related to the presidential election. This is because the liaison officers or coordinators in charge during the presidential election stages are no longer active. Furthermore, there are now many activities that must be attended to after the Constitutional Court's decision was read last Monday.

Also read: Legitimate, Prabowo-Gibran as Elected Presidential Candidates

Nevertheless, Mahfud still extended his congratulations to Prabowo-Gibran as the chosen presidential and vice-presidential candidates. "Despite that, it does not diminish my respect, and I extend congratulations to Mr. Prabowo and Mas Gibran, who have been appointed as president and vice-president for the 2024-2029 period. All the best to your duties," said Mahfud.

I congratulate Mr. Prabowo and Mr. Gibran who have been appointed as the president and vice president for the 2024-2029 period. Congratulations on your duty.

Previously, after attending the reading of the verdict on the dispute over the results of the presidential and vice-presidential election at the Constitutional Court on Monday, Ganjar also congratulated Prabowo-Gibran. The former Governor of Central Java stated that there is nothing left to debate after the Constitutional Court has ruled on the dispute over the election results.

Separately, KPU member Idham Holik said that they have sent invitations to all parties, including Ganjar-Mahfud's team and all supporting political parties. The invitations were conveyed through physical form or messaging applications. The delivery of the invitations was not only done formally, but also through informal communication with the leaders of the supporting political parties.

"Last night, I communicated with the liaison officer between Ganjar and Mahfud to reiterate the invitation. Other members of the Election Commission also communicated with all teams of presidential and vice presidential candidates to ensure that the invitation had been delivered," he said.

PDI-P position signal

The Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy and Strategic Affairs, Ahmad Khoirul Umam, believes that the absence of Ganjar-Mahfud can be interpreted as a signal that the PDI-P will take a position outside of the government. Especially since the Chairman of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who was also invited, did not attend. The distribution of the letter from the KPU regarding the selection of President-Vice President candidates was represented by Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives from the Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The atmosphere during the open plenary session for the appointment of the elected presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2024 election at the KPU Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (24/4/2024), as Chairman of the Election Commission Hasyim Asy'ari and other KPU members handed over the official appointment letter to Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

In addition, the absence of Ganjar-Mahfud was also triggered by the political stance of PDI-P, which is still trying to file a lawsuit in the State Administrative Court. The lawsuit against the KPU Decree No. 360/2024 concerning the National Election Results in 2024 has not yet been decided.

"If Ganjar-Mahfud come to the KPU, both of them will be considered progress and face the political stance of the PDI-P," he said.

Also read: Anies-Muhaimin Wishes Prabowo-Gibran Good Luck

On the other hand, the presence of Anies-Muhaimin at the KPU provides a positive political signal for Prabowo-Gibran. Their presence signals unity to bring about peace and calmness for the future national political dynamics. Furthermore, there is a growing rumor that Nasdem and PKB have opened the door to join the Prabowo-Gibran government.