The Neutrality Of ASN In Pilkada Must Be A Common Concern

Representative Presiden Ma'ruf Amin (Photo: Instagram cover

JAKARTA - The neutrality of the state civil apparatus (ASN) is considered to be a determining factor for the quality and success of the 2020 Pilkada implementation.

"Attention regarding the neutrality of ASN must get our common priority, in order to maintain the constitutional mandate of democracy and people's sovereignty," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin in a keynote speech at the Virtual Campaign for the ASN National Neutrality Movement, reported by Antara, Wednesday, October 7.

Pilkada is a constitutional mandate as well as a means for society to convey their political aspirations in a democratic manner.

Therefore, Ma'ruf asked that the 2020 Pilkada Simultaneously be carried out openly, accountably, with integrity and neutrality.

"The sacredness of the democratic pilkada procession, namely openness, accountability, integrity and neutrality in its implementation, must be guarded so that it is not contaminated by things that can damage the essence and foundation of democracy itself," he said.

In Law Number 5 of 2014 concerning ASN, continued Ma'ruf, it has been clearly stated that the implementation of ASN policy and management is based on the principle of neutrality.

So, he continued, neutrality becomes a principle, basic value, code of ethics and code of conduct that cannot be separated from ASN.

The Vice President also hopes that the formation of the Joint Decree (SKB) on Monitoring the Neutrality of ASN in the Implementation of the 2020 Regional Elections can be properly implemented by all agencies and ASN in 270 regions.

"This decree aims to create a neutral, objective and accountable 2020 Pilkada, especially regarding the monitoring of ASN neutrality," he said.

In the Virtual Campaign event, the ASN Neutrality Declaration was also carried out in the context of the 2020 Pilkada. The declaration contains four points of commitment that must be carried out by all ASNs during the implementation of the Pilkada stages.

This commitment is to maintain and uphold the principle of ASN neutrality; avoiding conflicts of interest, not engaging in intimidation and threats to ASN employees and the public, not taking sides with certain candidate pairs; use social media wisely, not to support candidate pairs, not for hate speech and fake news; and reject money politics and all kinds of gifts in any form.

Previously on September 10, the ASN Neutrality Supervision Decree in the Implementation of Simultaneous Regional Elections in 2020 was signed by the Minister of ASN Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Chair of the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Abhan, Head of the State Civil Service Agency ( BKN) Bima Haria Wibisana and Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission (KASN) Agus Pramusinto.