KPU Clarification: Music Concert Campaign Rules Are Not Final, Probably Online

Illustrated. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Commissioner for General Elections (KPU) Viryan Azis said that the technical arrangements regarding campaigns with the type of music concerts had not been discussed in a final manner.

"The regulations (music concert campaign) are not final. We are still harmonizing these regulations to be perfected," said Viryan in a webinar discussion, Saturday, September 19.

Viryan admitted, music concerts are allowed in KPU Regulation (PKPU) Number 10 of 2020 concerning the Implementation of Pilkada in Non-Natural Disaster Conditions COVID-19 which is one type of campaign.

In these regulations, the KPU still regulates campaign activities that are usually carried out in normal conditions. This is because the basic rule, namely the Pilkada Law, still regulates this matter.

However, for technical regulations, the KPU will create a new PKPU specifically for campaign activities during the COVID-19 pandemic by paying attention to the application of health protocols. It could, he said, that the music concert campaign was carried out online.

"With current conditions, of course it must be adjusted. In PKPU Number 6 of 2020 it has been stated that all activities that have the potential to violate the COVID-19 protocol, such as crowds, are not possible and carried out online," said Viryan.

Director of Domestic Politics at the Directorate General of Politics and General Government of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bahtiar stated that his party refused the KPU to still allow music concert campaign activities in the 2020 Pilkada.

"We reject all forms of music concerts. All over the world, music concerts are being closed. So, it is strange that we still allow it," said Bahtiar in a webinar discussion, Thursday, September 17.

According to Bahtiar, a music concert-type candidate for regional head campaigns could create crowds, potentially increasing the spread of COVID-19. That means, music concert campaign activities are not in line with the government's efforts to reduce the spread of the corona virus in Indonesia.

"A music concert is an activity that is very specific, usually a music concert is not determined by the number of people who attend. If the singer has an appeal, then people have fanatics about certain musical genres, yes, there will be a crowd," explained Bahtiar.

Campaign activities are regulated in Article 63 PKPU Number 10 of 2020. The following reads the rules:

Art 63

(1) Other activities that do not violate the Campaign prohibition and the provisions of laws and regulations as referred to in Article 57 letter g can be carried out in the form of:

a. general meeting;

b. cultural activities in the form of performing arts, big harvest, and / or music concerts;

c. sports activities in the form of leisurely walks, and / or relaxing bicycles;

d. race;

e. social activities in the form of a bazaar and / or blood donation;

f. Political Party birthdays; and / or

g. through social media.