President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) touched on the figure known as “Pak Lurah” regarding potential presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the 2024 presidential election or Pilpres 2024.
Jokowi expressed his curiosity about the identity of “Pak Lurah” mentioned by the politicians. Recently, he came to realize that he himself was the one referred to as Pak Lurah.
“In every question about presidential and vice-presidential candidates, the answer has always been, ‘There hasn’t been any directive from Pak Lurah yet.’ Initially, I wondered who this Pak Lurah was. Bit by bit, the term Pak Lurah came up. Eventually, I realized that Pak Lurah referred to me,” Jokowi stated during the Annual MPR Session at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/16).
Jokowi emphasized that he has no role whatsoever in the presidential election. He refuses to interfere since the electoral process falls under the domain of political parties.
Jokowi reiterated a statement he made some time ago and reaffirmed once more that he is not the chairman of any political party.
“I am not Pak Lurah; I am the President of the Republic of Indonesia,” Jokowi firmly stated.
“It turns out that ‘Pak Lurah’ is a metaphor. However, I need to emphasize that I am not the Chairman of a political party, nor am I the Chairman of a coalition party. According to the provisions of the Law, the determination of Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates is the responsibility of political parties and party coalitions,” he added.
Previously, Jokowi was frequently linked to the 2024 presidential election. He was rumored to be leaning his support towards several potential presidential candidates.
Jokowi indeed participated in the declaration of Ganjar Pranowo, a potential presidential candidate from PDIP. Jokowi also mentioned Prabowo Subianto’s name multiple times as a minister who could become a presidential candidate.