The DPR's F-NasDem Questions The Urgency Of Discussion On The Revision Of The Pilkada Law

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the DPR NasDem Faction Willy Aditya questioned the urgency of the DPR Legislation Body to hold a discussion meeting on the revision of Law Number 1 of 2015 concerning the Election of Governors, Regents and Mayors (UU Pilkada), especially in the middle of a recess.

"This is also a trial during the recess, what do you want to pursue? I'm from the NasDem Faction in response, no one is too urgent to force it," Willy said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 24.

This was conveyed by Willy Aditya after a closed meeting of the Legislation Body (Baleg) of the DPR regarding the preparation of the Draft Law (RUU) on the 4th Amendment to the Pilkada Law.

He said the discussion points in the revision meeting of the Pilkada Law only discussed changing the timing of the regional elections scheduled for November 27, 2024 to September 17, 2024.

According to him, the discussion on the timing of the 2024 Pilkada which was originally planned through government regulations to replace the law (perppu) was carried out at Commission II of the DPR RI, but is now taking the path of revising the Pilkada Law through the Legislative Council of the Republic of Indonesia.

"This should be the Kodamain of Commission II. After all, it is only related to the shift in regional elections from November to September, yes, Commission II at that time was committed to the government (through) perppu. Why did the DPR want to withdraw this?" he said.

Therefore, Willy said the NasDem faction maintains that the schedule for the simultaneous regional elections will still be held in November 2024.

"Do not agree with two things, do not agree to this process to convene during the recess. Second, do not agree that the regional elections will be advanced," he said.

Previously, on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Commission II of the DPR RI together with the government discussed further government regulations in lieu of laws (perppu), especially regarding advancing the schedule for voting for the 2024 Pilkada from November to September.

"At the upcoming work meeting and hearings, (discussed) in particular related to the substance of changes to the articles of the law," said Chairman of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives Ahmad Doli Kurnia when reading the conclusions of the Commission II Working Meeting of the DPR RI.

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian conveyed that the reason for advancing the schedule for the 2024 Pilkada voting was to avoid the potential vacancy in regional head positions on January 1, 2025 because there would be 545 regions that could potentially not have a definitive regional head as a result of the 2024 Pilkada.