Jokowi's Speech Alluding To Identity Politics Is A Stern Warning, Bima Arya Invites The Public Not To Be Trapped Again

BOGOR - Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto agreed with President Joko Widodo's message so that Indonesia would not be trapped in identity politics again in the 2024 election to achieve the nation's glory.

"But the president warned very loudly earlier, that all of that can be lost when we return to identity politics. So that's the message from the president," said Bima Arya after attending Jokowi's state speech at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, quoted from Antara, Monday, August 16.

Bima is of the view that what President Jokowi conveyed in his speech ahead of the 77th Indonesian Independence Day were the numbers of success in tackling COVID-19, then leadership at the global level through the G20, controlling inflation and economic growth can be optimism for Indonesia's glory.

However, if the election momentum, which is only two years away from determining the nation's future leaders, is trapped in identity politics, this hope could be shattered.

"If we are stuck going back to 2024, returning to identity politics, then it's useless. I think that's the most important point that can be taken from the president," he said.

President Joko Widodo invites all parties to continue to fully support the stages of the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) which the General Election Commission (KPU) continues to prepare.

"We must fully support the stages of the election that is being prepared by the KPU," President Jokowi said during a speech at the Annual Session of the MPR RI and the Joint Session of the DPR RI and DPD RI in 2022 at the MPR/DPR/DPD RI Building, Jakarta, Tuesday.

The President also reminded the public and the political elite to continue to mature Indonesian democracy and strengthen national consolidation by avoiding identity politics and politicizing religion in order to prevent social polarization.

"I remind you, no more identity politics. No more politicization of religion. No more social polarization. Our democracy must be more mature. National consolidation must be strengthened," said the President.