Mahfud Regarding The Constitutional Court's Session: I Can't Affect Opinions Outside The Court

Vice Presidential Candidate Mahfud MD when giving a statement in the Senen area, Jakarta, Wednesday (3/4/2024). (ANTARA/Rio Feisal)

JAKARTA - Vice Presidential Candidate Mahfud MD said he was currently reluctant to respond to the trial of the General Election Result Dispute (PHPU) at the Constitutional Court (MK).

This was conveyed by Mahfud when asked by reporters about the performance of the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) which was revealed in the trial. He also explained that the Constitutional Court Judge should decide the matter.

"Yes, we'll see. I can't now as principal, it affects opinions outside the court. Go ahead and the Constitutional Court (who decides)," Mahfud said in the Senen area, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 3.

Mahfud invites the public to participate in the PHPU trial process which is considered part of the democratic process, and will be assessed by the Constitutional Court. Therefore, Mahfud will wait for the results of the trial.

"Everything is in progress and in process. Just waiting a few more days, right? 22nd? Soon, it won't take two weeks, there will be an answer," he said.

Previously, Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja emphasized that the institution he leads was not picky in handling election cases reported by the public.

"In some cases, Bawaslu has also succeeded in criminal cases. So, it is not true that Bawaslu is picky," said Bagja in the 2024 presidential election PHPU follow-up trial.

Including the meeting of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto who are also presidential candidates number two. Bagja said that Bawaslu had examined the meeting and found no indication of a campaign.

"We can state, for example, where is the meeting between the President and the Minister of Defense? That is also a problem, we can't feel like we are doing a campaign. That feeling cannot be tried and that feeling can't be done then (actions)," said Bagja.

According to Bagja, Jokowi did not fulfill the campaign elements regulated in Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections.