Bahlil Calls Entrepreneurs Asking For Postponed Elections, Mahfud MD: The Government Is Upright With The Constitutional Agenda

Mahfud MD (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD emphasized that the 2024 Simultaneous Elections would still be held. The government continues to carry out the constitutional agenda.

This was conveyed by Mahfud in response to the statement of the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Balil Lahadalia. Some time ago, Bahlil said that the business world wanted the 2024 elections to be postponed in order to restore the economy which had slumped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The government remains upright with the constitutional agenda that 2024 is the election schedule," Mahfud told reporters, Tuesday, January 11.

Mahfud said that there was nothing wrong with the input given by Bahlil. However, the government's attitude from the start was clear to hold elections in accordance with applicable regulations.

In fact, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has also spoken directly with the General Elections Commission (KPU). Thus, this shows that the political contestation will continue and will not retreat.

"The president has spoken directly with the KPU. In accordance with the provisions of the law, the president has proposed an election date in mid-May 2024 (however, red) the DPR and the KPU have their own views. Please make a decision immediately," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK).

"So here are two issues. First, there is the view of businessmen conveyed by Mr. Bahlil, please it is a political matter to be discussed by the public and political institutions. Second, regarding the election schedule, it is clear that the government has proposed an alternative voting date and is ready guarding the 2024 election," added Mahfud.

Previously, Bahlil said the results of his discussions with businessmen were looking to rebuild the economy. Especially for almost the past two years, the business world has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thus, they are worried that the 2024 General Election will have a negative impact on their business and ask for the political contestation to be postponed first.

"If we check in the business world, on average they really think how the democratic process is, in the context of a leadership transition, if there is room to be considered for resignation, it is much better," said Bahlil in an online program broadcast on Sunday, January 9th.

"They have just finished being battered with health issues (the COVID-19 pandemic, ed). This is a new business world that is about to rise, suddenly it is overwritten with political issues. This is the result of my discussion with them," he added.