Coalition Political Parties Get Busy Voicing Proposals For President Jokowi's Term To Be Extended, PDIP Discusses Arguments To Change The Constitution

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JAKARTA - PKB Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin's suggestion that the 2024 General Election be postponed received a positive response from a number of coalition political parties.

The general chairman of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, and the chairman of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan, have even voiced the importance of postponing the election.

The reason is the same, namely the momentum of economic improvement. They claim that many people's aspirations such as entrepreneurs, MSME actors, and oil palm farmers are related to the importance of postponing elections for economic recovery after the pandemic.

Along with the proposed postponement of the election, the extension of the president's term of office has resurfaced. Even though President Jokowi firmly rejects the 3-term discourse. However, the head of state has not confirmed his position on extending the term of office.

So, what did PDIP say?

Unlike Golkar and PAN, senior PDIP politician Hendrawan Supratikno stressed that his party adheres to the constitution which stipulates that presidential and vice presidential elections are held every five years. This means that the 2024 elections which have been set to fall on February 14 are already final.

Hendrawan questioned the basis for the proposed postponement. According to him, the reasons for economic improvement cannot be the basis.

"PDIP maintains discipline in implementing the Constitution. So what is the basis for delaying it?" said Hendrawan to VOI, Friday, February 25 evening.

The member of the PDIP faction in the DPR emphasized that only the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has the authority to amend the Constitution.

Therefore, the postponement of the election proposed by Cak Imin must have a strong argument. The reason is, changing the constitution is not as easy as turning the hand.

"Only the MPR has the authority to amend the Constitution. For that, proposals and a strong argumentation base are needed, and through administrative processes and procedures that are not easy," said Hendrawan.