After Cak Imin, Zulkifli Hasan Also Joined In On The Suggestion That The 2024 Election Be Postponed

General Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan at the Zulhas Award podium/ Photo: Mery Handayani/ VOI

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan agreed with the proposed 2024 general election (Pemilu) being postponed for another one to two years. Initially, this proposal was initiated by the General Chairperson of the PKB, Muhaimin Iskandar, who argued that the country was in the momentum of economic improvement.

"Indeed, these days the public is buzzing about proposals regarding the postponement of the election schedule, for various reasons," said Zulkifli in Jakarta, Friday, February 25.

According to him, there are five reasons the 2024 general election could be postponed. First, because the pandemic is not over yet. "The (pandemic) requires attention, seriousness to deal with," said Zulkifli.

Second, because the economy in Indonesia has not improved. The Deputy Chairperson of the MPR explained that the current average national economic growth is still in the range of 3 to 3.5 percent.

In addition, said Zulkifli, many people have lost their jobs after the pandemic wave. And the business sector that has not yet recovered.

Third, look at the latest developments in the global situation. Both the global economy and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are currently ongoing.

"It will greatly affect the global economy and our country," said Zulhas, his nickname.

Fourth, the 2024 election will require a large amount of money. "Lastly, I heard that the increase was only Rp. 180-190 trillion," he said.

It is known that the KPU has budgeted Rp. 86.2 trillion while the Bawaslu of Rp. 22.75 trillion for the 2024 General Election.

The fifth reason is that the sustainability of development programs has been delayed due to the pandemic that has occurred in the past two years.

In addition to the five reasons, Zulhas said that in the latest survey, Jokowi's performance showed a lot of positive things. Where people's satisfaction with the government's performance, especially President Jokowi is fairly high. In fact, the figure reaches more than 73 percent.

"His satisfaction is inversely proportional to what is happening in other parts of the world. Therefore, from various considerations and input from the community, we have decided to agree that the election is postponed," said Zulhas.

Previously, the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Parliament, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin, proposed that the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) be postponed. Because according to him, economic improvement should not be disturbed by the election contestation.

He found this after receiving input from MSME players and analysts regarding the economic prospects this year.

"From my visit to the region and seeing the positive prospects going forward, this good momentum in the future should not be ignored. Therefore, I see that in 2024 the elections that we plan to hold in February, do not let the good economic prospects it was disrupted because of the election," said Cak Imin at the DPR Building, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 23.

In fact, said Cak Imin, his proposal will be submitted to the leaders of other political parties and the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.

"Hopefully I will pass on my proposal to my friends and party leaders. I propose it to the President. So, if it's true, we'll see if it can be postponed or not," he said.