"The National Police and the police chief are neutral," he informed Antara here on Monday evening in connection with incumbent President and presidential candidate Joko Widodo`s claim of being supported by top figures of South Sumatra, including Tito Karnavian.
Prasetyo noted that General Karnavian had accompanied President Widodo during his visit to Palembang, the capital city of South Sumatra Province, in his capacity as the president of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
However, General Karnavian did not attend Widodo`s meeting with his campaign team members in the city, he noted, adding that Widodo is an incumbent president and presidential candidate.
Police Chief General Karnavian merely accompanied President Widodo to events, such as the flag raising ceremony for commemorating Indonesian Independence Day and briefing the village heads about rural development.
"In his capacity as a presidential candidate, he briefs his campaign team members and volunteers at a meeting. General Tito Karnavian cannot accompany him," he noted.
On Sunday, presidential candidate Widodo met with his campaign team members in Palembang. During the meeting, he claimed to have secured the support of various figures coming from South Sumatra Province, including Karnavian.
Widodo was then quoted as saying that General Karnavian should maintain his neutrality in the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.
Along with his running mate Ma`ruf Amin, incumbent President Widodo is seeking a reelection in next year`s presidential race. The Widodo-Amin pair is challenged by the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair.
Reporting by Anita Permata Dewi, Rahmad Nasution
Editing by Suharto
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
