Regardless Of Jokowi's Orders To Stop The Issue Of Postponing Elections, PKB Deputy: Before Cak Imin Says Stop, I Will Continue

Muhaimin Iskandar with President Joko Widodo (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - The National Awakening Party (PKB) continues the proposed postponement of the election even though President Joko Widodo has explicitly stated that the Simultaneous Election will still be held on February 14, 2024. In fact, PKB does not care about President Jokowi's orders to stop the discourse on postponing the election and extending the presidential term. This was stated by the Deputy Chairperson of the PKB, Jazilul Fawaid, through a video clip uploaded to his Instagram account @jazilulfawaid_real, which was seen on Wednesday, April 20. "I respect the existing constitution, respect the attitude of all existing parties," said Jazilul. However, he stated that he was upright with the orders of the General Chairperson of the PKB Muhaimin Iskandar, who to this day has not withdrawn his proposal to postpone the election. So the discussion will continue. "Regarding the postponement, we are Gus Muhaimin's attitude. I am the deputy governor, I am upright. Before he asks me to withdraw, I will not withdraw. I will continue," explained Jazilul.

Jazilul emphasized that his position would remain in the position of postponing the election until Gus Muhaimin alias Cak Imin officially stopped the discourse. "Yes, still (postponing the election, ed). Before Gus Muhaimin said it had stopped. I will continue," he said. The Deputy Chairperson of the MPR did not care even though President Jokowi had declared to end it. According to him, he was appointed to lead the MPR by Cak Imin, not Jokowi. So he obeyed the general chairman's order, not the president. "It has nothing to do with me. I was placed as leader of the MPR by Gus Muhaimin, not by Pak Jokowi," he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo held a limited meeting regarding the confirmation of the implementation of the 2024 General Election on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at the Bogor Presidential Palace.

As uploaded on the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube, Jokowi issued an official statement that simultaneous elections for the presidential and legislative elections will still be held on February 14, 2024.

"First, I want to convey to the public that all stages and schedules for the implementation of the general election and regional elections have been determined. I think it is clear and everyone needs to know that the election will be held on February 14, 2024," said Jokowi.

Simultaneous elections in question are elections to elect the President and Vice President, members of the House of Representatives (DPR) RI, Regional Representatives Council (DPD), Provincial People's Representative Council (DPRD) and Regency/Municipal DPRD.

"This needs to be explained, lest there will be speculations circulating in the community that the government is delaying the election, or speculation about the extension of the president's office and related to three terms," added President Jokowi.