Zulkifli Hasan: Election Implementers Must Be Neutral, No More Cebong-Kampret

PAN General Chair Zulkifli Hasan while leading the registration of candidates for the Indonesian House of Representatives in the 2024 General Election at the Indonesian KPU Office, Jakarta, Friday (12/5/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Humas PAN)

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade and Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasankatau Zulhas provided a number of notes for the 2024 General Election (Pemilu).

First, the democratic party must be held in person, in general, free, secret, honest, and fair.

"All election implementers must be neutral and not take sides. All contestants must be treated the same," said Zulhas as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 15.

Second, he continued, all members of the community are expected to be able to assist and contribute in maintaining the unity, order, and security of the election; so that no one should underestimate, harass, and blame other parties.

"Everyone must remain of the view that elections are held to maintain unity and integrity within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia," added Zulhas.

"There should no longer be the terms 'kampret' and 'cebong'. Those are bad words. Not educating. Potentially dividing unity," he said.

Third, if there is a debate, then it must be directed at complaints of ideas and thoughts to build a better Indonesia in the future.

Fourth, all contestants are expected to follow the stages of the election based on the rules of the law and other provisions that have been set.

The provisions that have been made are consistent and do not change, because if there is an inconsistency it will have implications for political parties in tidying up the ranks of all regional cadres and sympathizers.

Zulhas assessed that the 2024 election is a very important, dynamic, and strategic democratic party, because the election will determine the legislative and executive members simultaneously.

"Just look at it, the legislative candidates are already busy registering in various parties. Likewise, many presidential and vice presidential candidates have been raised; and at the regional level, regional head candidates have also prepared themselves to contest in November 2024," said Zulhas.

Seeing this, he was not surprised that the implementation of the 2024 General Election would be very dynamic because it was attended by many competitive candidates. Meanwhile, the election results became very strategic because they determined the journey of the Indonesian nation in the next five to 10 years.

In a democratic country, according to Zulhas, this phenomenon is a halalurrah, because everyone has the right to vote and be elected.

"Everyone is the same in the eyes of law and government. It is natural that those who are interested and have political talent participate in enlivening the leadership market in the election," he explained.

He also hopes that this election will be of high quality. The elected leaders can continue their development and complete the achievements that have been obtained so far.

"The election must be shady, relaxed, and happy. Avoid tensions and potential friction in the community, because the election belongs to all," he said.