"I'm 80, Already Too Old": VP Ma'ruf Amin Won't Seek Re-election

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin shows political grace as he intends to open the path for the younger generation. The former head of Indonesia Ulama Council (MUI) feels that he is too old for seeking the re-election next year.

Ma'ruf Amin is currently 80-year-old, the same age as the US President Joe Biden. In contrast, Biden will seek re-election despite his advanced age.

The Indonesian VP said he believes that it is better to have a younger person to take his post.

"I already said, I am, my age, is already 80 now. Tomorrow, 81. I guess it's already too old, yes. Therefore, I think it is better for the young ones [to become candidates]. Younger, fresher," explained Ma'ruf Amin as reported by state news agency Antara, Friday (5/5/2023).

"After all, the age must be calculated," he added.

Ma'ruf Amin will be 81 in March 2024, a month after the election that year. Indonesia will hold the 2024 general elections during Valentine.

Ma'ruf is the VP for President Joko Widodo's second term. He was succeeding the former VP Jusuf Kalla who is a year older than him. 

During his vice presidency, Ma'ruf has been a low-profile figure and able to avoid political controversies. But as a result, netizens sometimes question his whereabouts when there are difficult issues happening in Indonesia.

After his term ends, Ma'ruf says he will be still active in public life, although he is not a government official. 

"Dedication never stops and keeps going on until the end of life," said Ma'ruf Amin.

The US President Joe Biden has recently announced his bid for re-election. The video announcement has met with mixed feelings as Joe Biden's health has been under spotlight in his presidency. 

During an event in the White House last year, Presiden Biden was looking for congresswoman Jackie Walorski to thank her. But Walorski already died. 

"Where's Jackie?" said Joe Biden.

Joe Biden is currently the oldest US president in history. Only 26% of Americans want him to run again, according to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Biden is not alone, Donald Trump has also announced his plan to run for presidency next year. Trump is currently 76-year-old. 

In the neighboring country, the veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad was also re-elected as the prime minister of Malaysia in 2018. Mahathir was the PM in Malaysia for more than two decades until he stepped down in 2003.

Mahathir was 92 when he won the re-election. But two years later, Mahathir was ousted after a power struggle in his party.

He then formed the new Homeland Fighters' Party (PEJUANG) and participated in the 2022 general election, but Mahathir's popularity was evidently dimmed as his party won zero seats in the parliament.