Regulate 3 Papua New Guinea And IKN, DPR Commission II: Perppu Is More Effective Than Revised Election Law

DPR member Guspardi Gaus/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the PAN faction, Guspardi Gaus, agreed that President Joko Widodo would issue a Regulation instead of Law (Perppu) to fill the void in the general election rules (Pemilu) related to the ratification of the 3 Draft Laws for the New Autonomous Region (RUU DOB) for Papua to become Constitution.

The three new provinces are divisions of Papua Province, namely South Papua, Central Papua, and Papua Mountains. In addition to the three regions, there is also the state capital (IKN).

"We will only fill in the gaps in the rules regarding elections due to the existence of New Autonomous Regions (DOB) in 3 provinces in Papua and IKN", said Guspardi in a written statement, Monday, July 4.

He said this was referring to the 2020 Regional Head Election from 23 September 2020 to 9 December 2020 which was also carried out through a Perppu. Guspardi explained the issuance of a Regulation instead of a Law is more effective than having to revise the current election law.

"So far, discussions and talks at Commission II have agreed that the Perppu will be taken to fill the void of legal instruments regarding elections in these locations rather than revising Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections", he explained.

According to Guspardi, the General Elections Commission (KPU) may propose revisions to the Election Law. However, he said, the DPR and the government will determine the decision.

"The KPU carries out the implementation of what we have determined by the DPR and the Government", said the legislator from West Sumatra.

Guspardi added that Commission II of the DPR, the government, and election organizers will discuss the addition of the 2024 election budget due to the addition of three provinces in Papua and the IKN Nusantara.

"The sooner the better the Perppu. So it depends on the agreement of the government and the DPR when is the right time for us to discuss. Right now it's just the election stage, it has not yet entered into the determination of electoral districts and so on", said Guspardi.

Previously, the Head of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Hasyim Asy'ari said that the 2024 election budget could change again. This is because if the Capital of the Archipelago (IKN) and 3 New Autonomous Regions (DOB) in Papua participate in the 2024 Election.

"It is very possible, very possible (the budget posture for the 2024 General Election will change)", said Hasyim, Thursday, June 30.