Rejects President For 3 Periods, Trade Unions: Only Two Periods We're Enthusiastic

JAKARTA - The President of the Indonesian Trade Union Association (ASPEK) Mirah Sumirat, firmly rejects the idea of the 2024 election being postponed, which has implications for the extension of President Joko Widodo's term of office.

According to him, the proposal to postpone the 2024 election and the three-term presidential election is not appropriate. Because, at this time the conditions of the people and workers are still very difficult.

"We are sorry that we convey this clearly here. For us, for the people, workers, laborers, we are sorry, we have only been nervous for two periods," Mirah said in an online discussion, Friday, March 4.

According to Mirah, until now there has been no welfare felt by the workers. In fact, he said, the government's achievements under Jokowi's leadership are even lower.

"What has been done for the welfare of the workers, where are the achievements? In fact, it is getting lower," he said.

"Especially with the Omnibuslaw of the Job Creation Act, although the Constitutional Court has canceled it, the government continues to say that this is still valid," he continued.

Mirah even suspected that President Jokowi was pleased with the proposed postponement of the election which would automatically extend his term. According to him, this can be seen from the case of reporting on the alleged corruption of Jokowi's children at the KPK, which has not been clearly handled.

Instead of continuing to raise the issue of postponing elections with the excuse of economic improvement and the war between Russia and Ukraine, Mirah said, it is better for political parties to focus on providing welfare to the people and workers.

Moreover, he said, currently the prices of basic commodities are rising in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not to mention, continued Mirah, many women are jostling just to get two liters of cooking oil subsidized by the government today. Then, soybeans, tempeh and sugar which have now also disappeared from the market. In addition, the price of rice and meat continues to climb.

"So focus on the welfare of the people, don't assume this is a connection because there is a war in Ukraine and Russia. What's the connection, try it, it has nothing to do with it," he stressed.

"I think when foreign countries are worried about a third world war, we are here, the Indonesian people are worried about an extension of 3 periods," concluded Mirah.