Regarding Term Extension, Hidayat Nur Wahid: Sure Jokowi Will Be Consistent

JAKARTA - Jokowi has responded to the issue of extending the presidential term for a third term. And he emphatically said he refused the proposal. This, said Hidayat Nur Wahid, has been reiterated many times by Presidential Spokesman Fajroel Rachman. Because of that, he wondered why there are still people discussing the amendments regarding the extension of the presidential term of office.

"In the 1945 Constitution, it has been stated that the President and Vice President are elected for five years and can be extended for another period. Elections and presidential elections are held every five years. The next general election and presidential election will be in 2024. If the election is postponed, it means that it is against the 1945 Constitution,” he told VOI who interviewed him recently.

COVID-19 Focus

According to Hidayat, in the current era when COVID-19 is still the enemy of all parties, the representatives of the people and also the government should focus on helping and protecting the people. "I agree that during the COVID-19 pandemic, we focus on implementing the constitution by protecting and saving the Indonesian people and nation from COVID-19. And then implementing the provisions contained in the 1945 Constitution, it will be reassuring. Because people are not afraid of various maneuvers and stealth moves," he said.

Hidayat still underlined Jokowi's statement which was repeated several times by Presidential Spokesperson Fadjroel Fachman regarding the issue of increasing the presidential term. “According to Mr. Jokowi, as stated by Spokesperson Fadjroel Rachman, he does not want an additional presidential term. According to Jokowi, the person who proposed it was the first possibility; want to apple polishing in front of the president. The second might want to slap Mr. Jokowi in the face. And the third might want to plunge Mr. Jokowi. That's what Mr. Jokowi has repeatedly said," he said.

And, Hidayat is sure that Jokowi will be consistent with the statement he has put forward and also repeated by the Presidential Spokesperson. “Mr. Jokowi is a Javanese, and they have the phrase Sabdo Pandito Ratu, Tak Keno wolawali. It means; the words of the king and wise men cannot go back and forth. You have to be persistent," he said.

And, he continued, until now no one has proposed amendments to the 1945 Constitution, especially regarding the addition of the presidential term of office for more than two terms. The issue of amendments does exist, but it concerns the PPHN which was a recommendation from the previous MPR. They want an amendment to this matter. In the ranks of the parties, there is still no agreement, there are those who want the PPHN to be discussed in the amendments, some do not need to be discussed in the amendments," he said.

In the context of this PPHN, according to Hidayat Nur Wahid, PKS does not need to be discussed in the amendments to the 1945 Constitution, it is enough to strengthen the existing RPJM Law. That is if the aim is to bring about sustainability in national development.