Minister Bahlil, The Business World Needs Business Security Guarantees Not Election Delays

Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Lukas)

JAKARTA - PAN politician Guspardi Gaus criticized the investment minister's statement, Bahlil Lahadalia, who claimed that the business world wanted the 2024 presidential election to be postponed taking into account the post-pandemic economic recovery. According to him, the statement must be refuted because it clearly has no legal basis.

"Bahlil's statement runs away from the spirit of reform and goes against the sovereignty of the people and is not in accordance with the mandate of the constitution," Guspardi told reporters, Wednesday, January 12. The member of Commission II of the DPR RI then explained that Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution states that the President and Vice President hold positions for five years and can be re-elected to the same position. Then article 22E of the 1945 Constitution stipulates that general elections must be held every five years. Elections are held to elect the DPR, DPD, President/Vice President and DPRD.

"The implementation of elections during the old order and new order that Bahlil uses as an example that can be done today, shows that he does not understand the constitution, namely the 1945 Constitution. And what is certain is that elections in Indonesia have never been a factor causing the economic crisis," said Guspardi.

Legislators from West Sumatra reminded Bahlil not to lead opinions as if business actors hoped that the 2024 presidential election could be postponed in consideration of the national economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In the constitution, there is no norm that allows the president or vice president to have their term extended, using economic reasons to delay the change of president," he explained.

It would be better, said Guspardi, for Bahlil to focus on completing his duties as investment minister and head of the BKPM according to his main duties and responsibilities. As assigned by President Jokowi, such as making Indonesia friendly to investments that contribute positively to society and the country. "Currently, what the business world really needs is a matter of guaranteeing security and conducive business climate, so that business actors who have fallen and been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 have a solution on how the business sector can rise from adversity," he said. member of the Legislative Council of the Republic of Indonesia.