Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs Accommodates Aspirations To Resolve Serious Human Rights Violations

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD accommodated the aspirations of a number of activists and community leaders who claimed President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) promise regarding the settlement of gross human rights (HAM) violations in the past.

This aspiration was conveyed when the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs invited a number of activists and community leaders to have a dialogue at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Tuesday, February 21.

A number of figures who attended included Al Hilal Hamdi, Alwi Shihab, Fachry Ali, Asep Saifuddin, Komaruddin Hidayat, Makarim Wibisono, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Halim Alamsyah, Romo Mudji Sutrisno, Zumrotin Susilo, Tini Hadad, Rita Kalibonso, Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, Dahlan Iskan, and AS Hikam.

Mahfud had said that currently, the government is preparing a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) regarding the settlement of gross human rights violations, as a follow-up to the recommendations of the Non-Judicial Team for the Settlement of Past Serious Human Rights Violations (PPHAM) which was submitted on 11 January.

"We are preparing a Presidential Instruction, which assigns 19 ministers to implement the results of PPHAM's recommendations. Later, the chief observer in the field will be Mr. Makarim Wibisono, and the former PPHAM Team, they will monitor implementation from time to time. The target is April 1, it will be completed, so that it can start to be implemented," Mahfud said in his statement reported by ANTARA.

Previously, the female activist Zumrotin Susilo had conveyed in a dialogue her appreciation for the work of the PPHAM Team, but civil society was still waiting for the follow-up.

"On January 11, the President said he would complete the settlement of serious human rights, but there has been no movement for one month. How far is the settlement of severe human rights?" Zumrotin said.

The same thing was conveyed by former Minister of Religion Lukman Hakim Saifuddin who emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust by following up on the recommendations of the PPHAM Team.

"This is a test for the government because it involves the trust of the people. Since this recommendation helps to open up hope for the people, please follow up properly, and implement it, so that people's trust is better maintained and supported," said Lukman Hakim.

The dialogue also discussed a number of other topics, including pressure from activists and community leaders so that the government does not entertain discussions regarding the discourse on postponing the 2024 elections.

This was welcomed by Mahfud's statement guaranteeing that there would be no delay from the government in the 2024 elections.

"The president and I have stated many times that the 2024 election will take place. The main thing is that elections are held," said Mahfud.