Deputy Chairperson Of The People's Consultative Assembly Values Jokowi's Attitude Towards Ministers Who Evoke Three Less Firm Periods

Hidayat Nur Wahid/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The debate about the three-term extension is still being discussed, and there are even demonstrations demanding that President Joko Widodo only have two terms. In fact, the time for the simultaneous elections has been set to be held on February 14, 2024.

PKS senior politician Hidayat Nur Wahid believes that people are waiting for Jokowi's assertiveness, not just through words.

"How come there are still parties who declare their support for 3 periods or demonstrations against 3 periods?", said Hidayat Nur Wahid, Thursday, April 14.

The Deputy Chair of the People's Consultative Assembly then quoted the statement of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, who had met with President Jokowi. Mahfud said President Jokowi felt slapped by the parties who proposed 3 terms.

According to Hidayat, if Jokowi feels slapped, there should be real proof through the president's firm action against his subordinates.

Moreover, the vote for the postponement of the 2024 election and the extension of the presidential term came from palace circles, from Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to the latest Coordinating Minister Luhut Pandjaitan.

"They (the community) need real action, as well as direct corrections to those who still support 3 periods", said Hidayat.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, admitted that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was summoned to the Presidential Palace some time ago.

The polemic about the postponement of the 2024 general election and the extension of the presidential term to three terms were discussed. In addition, Mahfud MD was summoned to the Presidential Palace to discuss issues related to the fields he handled such as politics and security.

"Before the fuss, the President called the two of me, for a while at the Palace, they talked a lot about political and security issues. But one of the questions I was asked was the fuss about postponing the election and extending the term of office", said Mahfud MD on a television station, quoted on Tuesday, April 12.

To Mahfud, Jokowi asked whether his statement and attitude regarding the rejection of the extension of the presidential term and the postponement of the 2024 election were still unclear. This is because the community is still arguing about these two things.

"Is my statement unclear to the public, why is it still noisy? I already said no", said Mahfud, imitating President Jokowi's statement.

Mahfud said that the two discourses seemed to slap Jokowi in the face. In fact, the parties who voiced it seemed to be looking for face and wanted to plunge President Jokowi.

"I already stated no, whoever proposed an extension of office or a third term slapped me in the face, looked at me in the face, or plunged me in", he said, imitating Jokowi's statement.

After that, said Mahfud, President Jokowi had ordered all his staff to prepare for the election as well as possible. He also admitted that he would follow the rules of the constitution in force.

"I will follow the provisions of the constitution. Is that unclear? What other narrative do you want?", said Mahfud conveying what Jokowi said.

"Then a very clear narrative emerged that the 2024 General Election is a constitutional schedule that will not be postponed and will continue to run according to the constitutional agenda", he said.