Gerindra Denies Lobi Prabowo-SBY Regarding Support for DPRD Pilkada

JAKARTA - The Gerindra Party has denied speculation about political lobbying behind the Democratic Party's maneuver, which is now supporting the election through the DPRD. This change of attitude was emphasized as an independent decision.

Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that there was no political meeting or lobbying between Gerindra Chairman Prabowo Subianto and Democratic Party High Council Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

Prasetyo stated that the Democratic Party's support for the idea of electing regional heads through the DPRD was an internal decision of the party. According to him, there was no attempt to persuade Prabowo or other Gerindra elites.

"There was no meeting between Mr. Prabowo and Mr. SBY," said Prasetyo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, January 8.

He added that Gerindra did not interfere in the decision-making process of other parties. Each political party, he said, has its own mechanism in determining its stance on national strategic issues.

Prasetyo assessed that the change in the attitude of the Democrats was based on rational considerations and long studies. He said that political decisions could not be made without careful calculations, including considering constitutional aspects and the effectiveness of local government governance.

"We respect the views of each party. Decisions like this must go through studies," said Prasetyo.

Previously, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Herman Khaeron, stated that his party was in line with President Prabowo Subianto in opening the option of the election through the DPRD. According to the Democrats, the 1945 Constitution gives the law-making authority to regulate the mechanism for the election of regional heads.

The Democrats consider direct and indirect local elections to be equally valid in the Indonesian democratic system. However, the discussion of the policy must be carried out openly, democratically, and involve public participation.

Currently, the Democrats are joined by Gerindra, Golkar, PAN, Nasdem, and PKB which support the gubernatorial discourse through the DPRD. Meanwhile, the PDI Perjuangan still expresses its rejection because it considers the scheme has the potential to reduce the quality of democracy.