President: Obey, Follow, Comply with the Constitution
The idea to postpone the 2024 General Election was voiced by Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia in early January.
Presiden Joko Widodo
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stated that he would obey, follow and comply with the Constitution. This was conveyed in response to the controversy over the idea of postponing the election.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said that the discourse about postponing the election cannot be banned because it is part of democracy. However, he added, all parties, including himself, must follow, obey and adhere to the Constitution.
"Anyone is allowed to raise the idea of postponing the election and extending [the term of the president], ministers or political parties, because this is democracy. Feel free to think. However, when it comes to implementation, everyone must follow and obey the Constitution," the President told Kompas at Bogor Palace, West Java, on Friday (4/3/2022).
"We are not only obedient and compliant, but also adherent to the Constitution," added the President.
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Rejecting the Cancelation of 2024 General Elections
The idea to postpone the 2024 General Election was voiced by Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia in early January. This idea has resurfaced again in the past week or after the chairman of the National Awakening Party, Muhaimin Iskandar, raised a similar idea. The idea was then supported by chairman of the National Mandate Party, Zulkifli Hasan.
At the end of 2019, there was also a proposal to extend the term limit of the president, from a maximum of two terms to three terms. At that time, Jokowi responded, “Those who have the idea to extend [the term limit] to three terms have three goals. First, [they] want to slap me in the face. Second, [they] want to please me. Third, [they] wants to trap me.”
Jokowi also said he was not interested in serving as President for three terms.
Every five years
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, the 10th and 12th vice president of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, warned that postponing the election would violate the Constitution.
The 10th and 12th vice president of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla
"Based on the Constitution, [the election] is held every five years. If you don't obey the Constitution, there will be controversy and argument," said Kalla.
Prior to Jusuf Kalla's statement, the rejection of the idea of postponing the election or extending the term of office of the president was voiced in a number of circles, such as a number of political parties in the House of Representatives and members of the Regional Representatives Council. Rejection was also voiced by religious leaders, community leaders, academics, civil society and student organizations.
A study by the Indonesian Survey Institute found that at least 64.1 percent of respondents wanted elections to be held in 2024 (Kompas, 4/3/2022).
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The results of a study by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) showed that election delays in other countries mostly occurred at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. After that, however, the number of countries postponing elections decreased. IDEA's Senior Program Manager, Adhy Aman, said election organizers had found ways to minimize the risk of the impact of the pandemic so that the elections could be held on time.
Postponing the election for economic recovery or the high costs of the election is also considered unfounded.
In Asia, according to the secretary general of the Asia Democracy Network (ADN), Ichal Supriadi, there has not been a national election delay during the Covid-19 pandemic. Postponing the election for economic recovery or the high costs of the election is also considered unfounded.
"From the principle of democracy, there is no price tag or a certain price value for democracy. No matter how expensive it is, it must be implemented because it is a joint consensus that has been written down in the Constitution," he said.
Referring to the IDEA study, Saiful Mujani, a professor of political science at the State Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah, said the pandemic could no longer be used as an excuse to postpone elections. Moreover, the 2020 regional head election (Pilkada) was still held in the midst of a pandemic.
Saiful Mujani.
He also emphasized the argument for postponing the election for the economic recovery was incorrect. "In 2021, many elections were held. At the same time, the economic recovery was positive," he added.
He also considered it inappropriate for high cost to be used as an excuse to postpone the election. This is because the government also plans to issue a budget for other activities, such as relocating the national capital city.
"Why isn't the budget for other activities postponed and diverted for elections, which are clearly mandated by the Constitution," he said.
(HAR/REK/CAS/INA/WKM/PDS)
(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo)
