Indonesia Elections 2024: Prabowo’s dual role as minister, presidential hopeful risks abuse of authority, analysts say

Researchers and activists are concerned about the constant hat-switching, according to CNA, which carries the risk of energy and state resources being misused for political purposes during an election cycle.

They argued that Indonesia may go back to the time when officials and other high-ranking public officers were barred from their jobs whenever they wanted to run for president.

IMPACTIVE CAMPAIGNING&nbsp,

For the first time, a secretary who is currently in office is permitted to run for leader without resigning.

However, Mr. Prabowo’s ability to battle widely is being hampered by his frequent hat-switching, according to an researcher, who claims that this prevents the presidential candidate from growing his fan base. &nbsp,

Previous administrators Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, who served terms ending in 2022 and 2023, respectively, are his competitors. As a result, they are free to run for office whenever and wherever they want. &nbsp,

Anies and Ganjar had been traveling to remote areas of the vast archipelago with more free time, occasionally running into voters in smaller cities and isolated villages. During their visit to a specific state, they were even able to fit more goals into their schedules and interact with their supporters more frequently.

Due to his ministerial responsibilities, Mr. Prabowo, on the other hand, was frequently unable to campaign outside of Jakarta or travel to locations that are more than a few hours ‘ drive from the capital city.

The national pioneer frequently travels to two or three regions in a single day, leaving very little time for interaction with his supporters whenever he does find time to travel to distant locations. &nbsp,

Due to his limited time, Mr. Prabowo frequently attends large demonstrations in hotel rooms and sports venues.