"I always evaluate their work. If their performance declines, they may be replaced. It's that simple," he said after giving directives at the People's Forum (Musra) of Indonesia event in Jakarta, Sunday.
The event is organized by Relawan Jokowi, a group of social organizations and volunteers supporting Widodo, also known as Jokowi.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has opened registration for candidates running for seats in the House of Representatives (DPR) in the 2024 Pemilu from May 1-14.
"We should know that the regulation permits this. For me, ministers may participate in the elections as long as they do not lose focus on their daily duties," Jokowi affirmed.
Several ministers and deputy ministers have expressed their intention to run for the national parliament in the 2024 Pemilu.
Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, for example, registered himself in the Central Java I electoral district.
Furthermore, the National Awakening Party (PKB) has fielded two ministers among their candidates for lawmakers, namely Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah and Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Minister Abdul Halim Iskandar.
Meanwhile, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly and Tourism and Creative Economy Deputy Minister Angela Tanoesoedibjo will be running for legislative seats through the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo) respectively.
Similarly, the National Democrat (NasDem) Party is also supporting two ministers who are running for DPR seats, namely Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo and Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate.
Additionally, the Crescent Star Party (PBB) has registered Manpower Deputy Minister Afriansyah Ferry Noor, while the Unity Development Party (PPP) hopes that Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi will be able to win a seat in the parliament.
According to Article 240, Paragraph (1) of Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections, ministers who are running for legislative seats do not need to resign from their offices.
The provision states that, with the exception of ministers, a number of public officials must step down from their current positions.
These positions include regional leaders and their deputies, civil servants, personnel of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri), as well as directors, commissioners, members of supervisory board, as well as employees of state and regional-owned enterprises.
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Translator: Desca Lidya, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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