"State apparatus have their political rights and right to vote, but they must not abuse their position to support a particular party candidate," Karnavian stated here, Thursday.
The minister earlier signed the Joint Statement on the Guide of Civil State Apparatus Neutrality Development and Monitoring in the General Election and Regional Election Organisation with the Ministry of State Apparatus Utilisation and Bureaucracy Reform, General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), Civil State Apparatus Commission (KASN), and the State Employment Agency (BKN).
"We need to maintain state apparatus neutrality because they are the driving force of the government and state administration, either in the central or regional governments. We need to monitor state apparatus (to ensure) they remain professional and non-partisan," he said.
Related news: President urges Bawaslu to conduct electoral supervision strictly
He urged state apparatus to maintain neutrality and focus on daily government administration, despite increasing political tension ahead of the election.
"The political tension may rise because that is democracy, but we need to ensure that the tension will not be damaging," the minister said.
Karnavian added that the joint statement underlined the government's commitment to realise successful general elections.
Meanwhile, State Apparatus Utilisation and Bureaucracy Reform Minister Abdullah Azwar Anas said that state apparatus must be neutral to maintain a professional public services, as those who fail to maintain neutrality will hinder the public service.
He noted that according to prevailing laws, the government would sanction state apparatus that failed to maintain their political neutrality.
"We have agreed with the process, as there will be KASN (monitoring) and other sanctions, such as official warning and official discharge if major violations occur," Anas said.
Moreover, Bawaslu Chairperson Rahmat Bagja affirmed that the agency would monitor a professional and accountable election, and they would take action against state apparatus who violate their political neutrality.
Related news: Bawaslu suggests relaxing supervision officers' recruitment criteria
Related news: Widodo's statement bolsters hopes of peaceful election: MPR
Translator: Boyke Ledy Watra, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
