"Since the beginning, I have positioned myself to be neutral. I am impartial (to either one of the candidate pairs)," Amin stated here on Thursday.
According to the vice president, the vote he will cast for his preferred presidential and vice presidential candidate pair is a highly confidential and private matter.
"I will cast my vote later on February 14 (voting day), and no one should know (his choice)," he remarked.
Meanwhile, responding to President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) statement that the president may take sides and participate in campaigning, Amin said that it is permissible according to the regulation.
"I think the president's (statement) is clear. The rules allow (the president to campaign). There are parties who disagree, some agree, (but) let the public (judge)," he remarked.
Related news: Civil servants need to remain neutral in 2024 elections: Official
Amin also said that he did not find Jokowi's statement problematic as averse to many who considered it to be a violation of political ethics.
"But this does not mean I disagree with the president. If the president said that, then let him, but I (choose) to remain neutral," he stated.
Earlier, on Wednesday (January 24), Jokowi stated that the president and ministers have democratic and political rights that allow them to participate in election campaigns as long as they do not use government facilities.
Jokowi made this statement in response to several ministers of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet that participated in the winning teams in the 2024 Presidential Election.
"Everybody, including ministers, has democratic and political rights. The most important thing is that the president can (take part in) campaign and take sides," Jokowi stated at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base here on Wednesday.
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Translator: Yashinta P, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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