Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) – Director General of Regional Autonomy at the Home Affairs Ministry Akmal Malik called on civil servants and contract-based government employees to maintain their neutral stance during the 2024 General Elections.”All civil servants and contract-based employees within the government must ensure neutrality during the 2024 elections,” Malik told civil servants and contract-based employees in Pangkalpinang City, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, on Saturday. ccording to the director general, Law No. 5 of 2014 concerning civil servants stipulated that all government employees should fulfill their duties while upholding the principle of neutrality, so they are not allowed to become members or administrators of any political party. Furthermore, Malik reiterated that both civil servants and contract-based employees, including those serving in regional governments, must refrain from showing allegiance to or supporting the interests of any party. “Neutrality means that one should neither participate nor support any political party, regional leader candidate, or presidential candidate, be it directly or indirectly via social media,” he affirmed. Meanwhile, Acting Governor of Babel Island Province Suganda Pandapotan Pasaribu had earlier issued a Circular Letter on May 17, 2023, concerning the assurance of neutrality of civil servants and contract-based employees within the provincial government. “This circular letter is aimed at ensuring that all civil servants and contract-based employees will maintain neutrality ahead of and during the 2024 General Elections,” the acting governor noted. Pasaribu then extended gratitude to the ministry’s Directorate General of Regional Autonomy for its efforts in providing directives and guidance to government employees in Babel Province on ways to run sound governance. “Civil servants and contract-based employees found failing to maintain their neutrality will be sanctioned according to the applicable regulations,” he remarked.
Source: Antara News Agency