Asked To Strictly Reject Election Postponement, Observer: President Jokowi Must Maintain His Honor

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Screenshot)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo was asked to immediately take a firm stance against the discourse of postponing the 2024 General Election proposed by political party elites. The reason is that the proposal is related to the extension of the president's term of office.

"President Jokowi must issue a firm statement rejecting the delay," said Director of Data Synergy Indonesia, Barkah Pattimahu, to reporters in Jakarta, Sunday, February 27. The President, he continued, must encourage the General Elections Commission (KPU) to continue carrying out the stages as decided with the DPR and the Government. It is known, the voting date has been set to fall on February 14, 2024. "Some time ago, the 2024 General Election has been set," he continued.

Barkah assessed that Jokowi's assertion was to avoid any presumption that the president was involved in the scenario of postponing the election.

"President Jokowi must maintain his honor, the President should not be judged to be disobedient to the constitution because there is a desire to continue in power," said Barkah.

If not, Barkah said, all the legacy that Jokowi has built will disappear because it is considered not pro-reform. For letting the idea of the election be postponed. This, added Barkah, can damage the democratic order based on the constitution which is the guide in the life of the nation and state.

Moreover, he said, the economic reasons put forward by political party elites and ministers were incorrect. On the contrary, it will reduce market confidence. "We ourselves have experience of successfully carrying out post-conflict local elections at a time when COVID was still at a high level and our economy was contracting," said Barkah.

"Once again the President must continue to maintain the momentum of public confidence by firmly rejecting the elite discourse about postponing the presidential election," he said.