TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hello readers,

As suspected, those in power are increasingly tempted to abuse their authority in order to hold on to power. After President Jokowi is believed to have intervened in the Constitutional Court’s decision through his brother-in-law to secure his son’s candidacy for vice president, there are now numerous reports of state officials trying to garner support for him.

There is a silent operation in the regions targeting regional heads and village chiefs to support the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka pair. This ranges from phone calls to regional heads, urging them not to strongly support Prabowo-Gibran’s rivals, to threats of legal action regarding the use of village funds.

The investigation of village funds has become the most effective tool to pressure village heads. There are many corruption cases involving the misuse of Rp1 billion in village funds, causing these village heads to be forced into supporting Prabowo-Gibran. Conversely, the leaders of the village head organizations use village funds to bargain for support from presidential candidates. They request an extension of the village head’s term and an increase in village funds.

State officials who are not neutral clearly undermine democracy. Therefore, rules and regulations explicitly prohibit such actions. State officials are like referees in a soccer match. If they lean towards one candidate, the match will not be fair and will undoubtedly be biased. This is bad. But now, who cares about rules, ethics, and moral responsibility to uphold the values of honesty?

The presidential election has just entered the campaign period, but we are increasingly disgusted with all its intrigues. Hopefully, you can still enjoy the weekend.

Best wishes,

Bagja Hidayat

Executive Editor

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Interview with Chief of the National Police Public Information Bureau, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Ramadhan

Interview with Chief of the RI Police Public Information Bureau Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan regarding neutrality of the police force.

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