Advice About Acting Regional Head Should Not Be Active TNI-Polri, Gerindra: President Keeps Reform's Mandate

JAKARTA - Simultaneous regional head elections will be held in 2024. On the other hand, 271 regional heads will expire in 2022. This means that there will be 271 regions that will be led by acting regional heads.

Previously, President Joko Widodo had warned that the acting (Pj) regional heads should not be filled from active TNI-Polri circles.

Responding to the president's directive, Chairman of the Gerindra Faction DPR RI Ahmad Muzani appreciated. According to him, the president's statement is a form of the government's commitment to the spirit of reform.

"I think the statement is President Jokowi's commitment to maintaining the spirit and mandate of reform. The TNI and Polri are no longer allowed to be involved in practical politics. So in my opinion it is a step forward for Indonesian democracy," said Muzani in his statement, Friday, January 21.

Muzani said that the position of the regional head is a political position. Therefore, he said, the president's decision to prohibit members of the Indonesian National Police from being active as Acting Governor should be supported because it is a good decision to maintain the integrity and neutrality of a TNI and Polri officer.

"This presidential decision should also be appreciated. Because the president knows that if the Pj is held by the TNI and Polri, it is resistant to involvement in practical politics. However, with this decision the president guarantees neutrality and integrity within the TNI and Polri," explained the Secretary-General of the Gerindra Party.

On the other hand, Muzani emphasized that Indonesia as a democratic country upholds civil supremacy. Civil supremacy, he said, is closely related to the basic principles of democracy which place the people as the highest authority.

"Therefore, Indonesia as a democratic country must have the principle of civil supremacy. The armed forces must also be under democratic control, which in essence is the people as the highest power holder," explained the Member of Commission II of the DPR RI.

Previously, President Jokowi emphasized that provinces whose regional head positions were completed before 2024 would not be filled with acting (pj) from active TNI or Polri officers.

"It is impossible for active TNI-Polri officials to become acting regional heads of level I, the law does not allow it," said President Jokowi when meeting with several editors-in-chief of the national mass media at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, January 19.

However, TNI or Polri officers who are seconded in institutions outside the TNI/Polri may still become officials in the province. For example, said Jokowi as an example, a police officer who is being seconded at Lemhannas is possible to become the acting governor.

For information, in 2022 there will be 101 regional heads who end their term of office, including 7 provinces, one of which is DKI. Meanwhile, in 2023, there will be 170 regional heads whose term of office ends, including 17 provinces.