Pilkada Cannot Be Postponed Due To Limitations Of Acting, LIPI: Too Naive

Illustrations (Photo: Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) responded to the government's steadfast reason for continuing the Pilkada because the acting regional head (Plt) cannot make strategic decisions.

LIPI political researcher Siti Zuhro assessed that the government's reasons regarding the impact of the vacant position of the regional head filled by the Plt are not fundamental.

"It is too naive to say that strategic decisions cannot be taken because of his position as Acting Head of regional heads," Zuhro said in a webinar discussion, Thursday, October 1.

Zuhro argues, there has been a mechanism of acting (Pj) executor (Plt) or daily executive (Plh) which has been practiced in many regions since Indonesia was founded.

He gave an example of the appointment of Plt which occurred twice in DKI ahead of the 2012 DKI Pilkada which was filled with Prijanto and 2017 which was filled with Soni Sumarsono. The appointment of this Plt was made because the Governor of DKI was running again as an incamben candidate.

"When the ikamben leave, the Director General of Otda of the Ministry of Home Affairs becomes his replacement in DKI Jakarta Province. What happened? Many policies were taken. There was no problem. It is fine, it doesn't make any difference," explained Zuhro.

"Plt already has the means, it can be taken from the center, from the province, or from the regional government of the city district itself. So there is no deadlock in this matter," he continued.

In this regard, postponing the Pilkada is also nothing new. In the history of election life in Indonesia, there has been a delay in the implementation of elections, including the 1955 election until the reformation period.

"Advancing or postponing the schedule for the implementation of elections and / or regional elections in government administration is not a constitutional violation, but has been regulated and established in the government administration system in Indonesia," he explained.

Previously, the Head of Legislation of the Directorate General of Regional Autonomy of the Ministry of Home Affairs Saydiman Marto said there were considerations that made postponing the 2020 Pilkada almost impossible to postpone again.

Saydiman said, the term of office of regional heads in 270 regions that participated in the 2020 Pilkada will end at the beginning of next year.

When the election is postponed again, it means that the leadership in the area will be filled by the acting (Pj) as long as the term of office of the regional head expires and does not have a new regional head.

Unfortunately, officials have limitations, namely they cannot make strategic decisions and execute policies. In fact, this is necessary in dealing with a pandemic.

"The limitation is that an official occupies two government positions. At the same time, it is difficult to concentrate on the existing (temporary regional head) position in addition to the definitive position that is held," said Saydiman.