President Jokowi EMPHASIZED That The Governor Of The Special Region Of Jakarta Was Elected Through The Pilkada

Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Azwar Anas when met at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Friday (19/1/2024). ANTARA/Mentari Dwi Gayati

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo emphasized that the governor of the Special Region of Jakarta was directly elected by the people through the election of regional heads (Pilkada).

"The president expressly said that the Governor of DKI was elected by the people," said the Minister of Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform Azwar Anas when met at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Friday, January 19.

Azwar said the decision was conveyed by President Jokowi in a meeting to discuss the DKJ Bill with the ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet at the State Palace.

Azwar explained that the appointment of the governor by the President in the Draft Jakarta Special Region Law (RUU DKJ) was one of the points that appeared in the problem inventory list (DIM).

"There was a DIM that appeared, one of which (the governor) was elected by the President. But the President decided earlier that the election for the governor of DKI was chosen by the people," he said.

Currently, the DPR is still discussing the DKJ Bill, one of which is establishing Jakarta as a special autonomy area but no longer holding the capital city.

As is known, DKI Jakarta will change its name to DKJ after its status as the capital city of the state is officially transferred to the capital city of Nusantara (IKN), as stated in Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning IKN.

Referring to the law, Jakarta's status will change from the previous Special Capital Region to the Special Region of Jakarta, as stipulated in the Draft Jakarta Special Region Bill (RUU DKJ).

In Article 10 paragraph (2) of the Draft RRU DKJ, it is stated that the governor and deputy governor are appointed, appointed, and dismissed by the president by taking into account the DPRD's proposal or opinion.

This provision then invites various comments, both from the government, the DKI Jakarta DPRD, and the public.

Most of them think that governors and deputy governors should still be elected through the regional elections.