Indonesia vote watchdog says Jokowi's son broke rules during campaign
JAKARTA – Indonesia’s vote watchdog ruled on Jan 4 that President Joko Widodo’s son – the leading candidate’s running mate in the coming presidential election – had broken rules during his campaign, a breach that could leave him facing a reprimand but not disqualification.
Mr Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is seeking to become vice-president in the vote scheduled for Feb 14, denied any wrongdoing.
The election watchdog, known by the abbreviation Bawaslu, said the 36-year-old had violated a Jakarta gubernatorial regulation when he handed out free milk to people at a public "car-free day" in December.
A 2016 Jakarta gubernatorial order bars "events for the interests of political parties" during car-free days, when vehicles are banned from major thoroughfares as part of an environmental push.
The watchdog said it did not have the power to penalise him itself for breaking an order imposed by the authorities in the capital.
Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Bawaslu made the announcement a day after calling Mr Gibran in for hours of questioning. He later told reporters his actions did not have any links to any political party.
Ms Titi Anggraini, an analyst from the Association of Elections and Democracy, told Reuters the most Mr Gibran could face would be a reprimand for what was considered a light violation.
She said the watchdog did have the power to reprimand him directly for breaching other regulations that required him to seek permission for campaigning at the car-free day. But that sanction would also fall short of a disqualification.
President Widodo's eldest son is running with presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, the current defence minister.
Most polls suggest the pair command a solid lead over rival presidential candidates Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo – though there has been an uptick in popularity for Mr Anies, and two surveys in December by independent pollsters had him overtaking Mr Ganjar.
Mr Gibran's candidacy has been divisive because it was allowed only after the constitutional court ruled that a minimum age requirement of 40 for candidates need not apply in all cases. – REUTERS
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