"If I have to say, I am currently 80 years old; tomorrow, I will be 81… So, I think it is better for younger and fresher candidates to come forward," he remarked at Padang State University in West Sumatra on Friday.
He made the remark in response to reporters' question on the possibility of political parties proposing his name as a vice presidential candidate in the coming elections.
"For me, (it is better to) seek for the young ones; indeed, there are still a lot of them who are ready to be vice president. I have been (a vice president) for five years, already old. No matter what, age must be taken into account," he said.
Amin added that he felt he had served the country enough during his five-year term
"But that does not mean I will stop. I will always work, but not as a state official, not as a vice president anymore," he said.
He opined that dedicating oneself to the country is never-ending work, and one can only stop when one dies.
He said that even after he no longer holds the post of vice president, he will continue to serve Indonesia.
Currently, three presidential candidates have been fielded for the 2024 election.
They include Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, who is being backed by the Democratic Party of Struggle and the United Development Party.
The second candidate is former Jakarta Governor Anis Baswedan, who has the backing of the Nasdem Party, the Democrat Party, and the Prosperous Justice Party.
The third is Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who has been fielded as a candidate by the Gerindra Party and the National Awakening Party.
The registration for the presidential and vice presidential candidates is scheduled to take place from October 19 to November 25, 2023.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
