Mahfud MD: The Government Has Nothing To Do With Internal Democrats, As Before, SBY Did Not Prohibit The PKB Coup

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD spoke about the Extraordinary Congress (KLB) of the Democratic Party in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. He said the government could neither prohibit nor support the event of party activities because this was regulated by law.

"The government cannot prohibit or encourage activities on behalf of Democratic Party cadres in Deliserdang," Mahfud was quoted as saying on his Twitter account @mohmahfudmd, Saturday, March 6.

He said the activity was regulated in Law Number 9 of 1998 concerning Freedom of Expressing Opinions in Public.

Moreover, this kind of incident had occurred in the era of President Megawati Sukarnoputri's leadership. At that time, Matori Abdul Jalil took over the National Awakening Party from Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur even though in the end, he lost in court in 2003.

"At that time, Bu Mega did not prohibit or encourage because legally it was an internal problem of PKB," he said.

This incident then repeated in the era of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) said that at that time, SBY did not prohibit or support the Parung version of the PKB fronted by Gus Dur and the Ancol version led by Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin.

"The reason is that it is an internal political party," he said.

So, at this time the government also considers what happened in the Democratic Party is an internal party matter and not a legal problem. "Because there is no report or request for new legal legality to the Government from the Democratic Party. The government is currently only dealing with the security point of view, not the legality of the party," he said.

Previously reported, the Democrat Party KLB in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, appointed Moeldoko as General Chair for the 2021-2025 period. When appointed, the Presidential Chief of Staff was not at the KLB location.

But shortly after the decision was issued, one of the Democratic KLB participants, Darmizal tried to contact Moeldoko by telephone. Darmizal asked Moeldoko to give direction to the cadres of the Democratic Party.

"Before this break, we hope you can convey a few words," said Darmizal at The Hill Hotel and Resort, Deli Serdang, Friday, March 5.

"Ladies and gentlemen, answer my questions to make sure, please answer them. Is this KLB in accordance with AD / ART or not?" said Moeldoko to the participants. Darmizal's phone was turned on by a loud speaker and connected to a microphone so that all participants could be heard.

"Appropriate," replied the KLB participant compactly.

"Secondly, I want you to be serious about choosing me to lead the Democratic Party, seriously or not?" asked Moeldoko.

"Seriously!" replied the KLB participant.

"I want to know your seriousness, working for the red and white above the interests of the group?" asked Moeldoko again.

"Red and white," they replied boisterously.

"Thus, I respect and respect your decision. Okay, we accept it," concluded Moeldoko.

Moeldoko was elected as Chairman of the Democratic Party in an extraordinary congress (KLB) which was held at The Hill Sibolangit Hotel, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, Friday, March 5. Moeldoko defeated Marzuki Alie, after the names of both were submitted by KLB participants in the trial.

"Hereby decides Mr. Moeldoko as the General Chair of the Democratic Party for the period 2021-2025," said Chairman of the Assembly Jhoni Allen.