From the start, I said that it was not me who (said) it
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) clarified not being behind the narrative recently gaining traction in which he was proposed as vice presidential candidate for the 2024 election.

"If it is from me, I will explain. If (it is) not from me, (then) I do not want to explain. That is all, thank you," President Jokowi stated in response to reporters' questions at the Merdeka Palace here on Friday.

President Jokowi made the remarks following a rumor circulating in the mass media that said Jokowi could become the vice presidential candidate after his two consecutive terms in the presidential office.

"From the start, I said that it was not me who (said) it. I have answered the inquiries about three terms of office. Once I answered it, more (questions) about (re-election) came up, which I also addressed. (Suddenly) this (rumor) about becoming vice president springs up. Who is it from?" he elaborated.

The narrative about President Jokowi being a vice presidential candidate spread after a statement made by spokesman for the Constitutional Court, Fajar Laksono, who said that the president, who had ruled for two terms, could become a vice president.

Laksono said that according to the 1945 Constitution, one was limited to two terms of presidential candidacy, yet there was no limit on former presidents running for vice president.

"On a normative aspect, it is fine. There is no prohibition, but it is just a matter of political ethics, in my opinion," he added.

However, the Constitutional Court highlighted this statement as a personal remark by Laksono alone. It did not reflect the official outlook of the court as a whole on the matter.

The statement regarding the issue in question was not an official statement, unrelated to the implementation of the Constitutional Court's authority.

Former Head of the Constitutional Court Jimly Asshiddiqie then emphasized that a two-term president could not run for vice president due to limitations listed in articles 7 and 8 of the 1945 Constitution.

Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution stipulates that the president and vice president hold office for five years and thereafter may be re-elected in the same position for one term only.

On the other hand, Article 8 (1) states that should a president die, quit, be dismissed, or be unable to fulfill her or her obligations within his or her term of office, then that person would be replaced by the vice president until the end of term of office.

Hence, if President Jokowi were to become vice president in 2024, then Article 8, paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution could not be implemented since it conflicted with Article 7.

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Translator: Desca L N, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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