The Rupture Of The Coalition Supporting Jokowi On Election Delays

Illustration/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA – The coalition supporting the government is currently split due to differing views on the 2024 election.

PKB General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin proposed that the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) be postponed. Because according to him, economic improvement should not be disrupted by election contestation. We will do it in February, so we don't let the good economic prospects be 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. Yes, we'll see if it can be postponed or not," he said.

In addition to the chairman of the PKB, the chairman of Golkar, Airlangga Hartarto, also expressed his opinion about the postponement of the 2024 election. Airlangga Hartarto admitted that he accepted the aspirations of the farmers who wanted President Jokowi's government to continue for three terms.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy also promised to discuss the proposal with the leaders of other political parties.

"We capture the aspiration about the desire for a sustainable policy and there is also the aspiration for the same policy to continue," said Airlangga.

After Muhaimin and Airlangga, then there was Zulkifli Hasan who agreed to postpone the 2024 Simultaneous Elections.

However, the discourse of postponing the election actually received a strong rejection from the coalition parties. The senior politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Andreas Hugo Pareira invites all parties to close the discourse on postponing the 2024 General Election. This is because the proposed postponement of the 2024 General Election does not have a solid basis.

Andreas reminded President Joko Widodo of the statement that he repeatedly emphasized obedience to the constitution. Therefore, he asked that the discourse be closed and not leaned on the president.

"The president himself has clearly said that he obeys the constitution and does not agree with the addition of positions or the postponement of the election, so don't rely on the president for delays," said Andreas, Wednesday, March 2.

"Never mind, we will close this discourse and focus on the pandemic and economic recovery agenda," he continued.

In addition, the Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, Sugiono, emphasized that his party adheres to constitutional provisions and principles. This was conveyed to address the issue of delaying the 2024 Election.

Sugiono emphasized that the constitution clearly states that elections are held once every five years. Elections must also be carried out directly, publicly, free of secrets (Luber) and Jurdil.

"The government and the DPR have also agreed that the date for the election is set for February 14, 2024," said the member of Commission I of the DPR RI.

In line with PDIP and Gerindra, the General Chair of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, firmly rejects the postponement of the 2024 election in the interests of the nation and state. According to him, the NasDem Party, which was born from the spirit of Indonesian restoration, did not want to be seen as a traitor to reform

"When we want to place the interests of the nation, we will place it according to the constitution. Now, if the constitution speaks like that (two periods, ed), then NasDem will be at the forefront (obeying the constitution)," said Surya Paloh in his statement, Tuesday, March 1. .