Ahok expressed the criticism during the declaration of Ahokers together with Ganjar-Mahfud at the Ganjar-Mahfud volunteer's aspiration house in Central Jakarta, Monday, February 5, 2024. Ahok initially told a story that many people regretted him joining Megawati. Ahok emphasized that he joined the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle for the sake of justice for the Indonesian nation.

Ahok then spoke about social assistance which only existed during the kingdom era, when the people asked for the king's mercy. Ahok emphasized that the Indonesian people have the right to every tax they pay. "Social assistance only existed during the kingdom era, when the people had to ask for the king's mercy. The king determined who needed to be pitied. The republic belongs to all of us, we have the right to the taxes we pay. This belongs to us," he explained.

The distribution of social assistance ahead of the general election by Jokowi has indeed become a spotlight. Jokowi, who is actively distributing social assistance during every working visit to the regions, is suspected of boosting the votes for presidential and vice-presidential candidate number 2, Prabowo-Gibran. The opposing camp of Prabowo-Gibran, including civil society, criticizes the distribution of social assistance in various regions during Jokowi's visits.