Protested By Cak Imin, KPU Guarantees Panelist Debate Of Independent And Integrity Presidential Candidates

KPU Chairman Hasyim Asy'ari (center)/PHOTO: Abdul Aziz Masindo-VOI

The General Election Commission (KPU) responded to the protests by the vice presidential candidate Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin regarding two panelists from the Defense University (IDU).

The two panelists protested by Cak Imin, namely Marsetio, Professor of the Defense University and Kusnanto Anggoro, a Defense University Security Expert.

KPU chairman Hasyim Asy'ari assessed that the eleven panelists, including two from the Defense University, had integrity and guaranteed their independence.

"This panelist can come from various sources or institutions, but we believe that he or she has capacity, has academic integrity that is maintained or maintained," said Hasyim at the KPU office, Central Jakarta, Friday, December 5.

So, said Hasyim, matters relating to panelists, whether related to expertise or institutions or institutions, have been discussed in meetings between the KPU and candidate pairs.

He also ensured that the questions from the eleven panelists would be confused with the mechanisms of various themes about defense, security, international relations, and geopolitical themes.

KPU member August Mellaz also added that the panelist from the Defense University is indeed what he is looking for because it matches the debate theme raised on January 7.

"We are indeed looking for them, then we will confirm based on their competency qualifications and background, which is in accordance with the theme we set in the third debate," continued Mellaz.

As previously reported, Cak Imin protested the involvement of two professors of the Defense University, it was feared that it would interfere with their credibility as panelists. Given, the Defense University is a government-owned university that is technically fostered functionally by the Ministry of Defense.

"It interferes with objectiveity. Because whatever, the Defense University under Pak Prabowo, the Minister of Defense. That's why I protest. Thank God (the two professors of the Defense University) can be replaced," said PKB Chairman Cak Imin some time ago.