Even Though The Plenary Session Of The Pilkada Bill Is Canceled, The Crowd Is Crowded With Parliament Buildings To Convey Their Aspirations

A number of masses began crowding in front of the DPR/MPR building, Thursday (22/8/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The masses began to crowd in front of the DPR/MPR RI building, Central Jakarta, to express their aspirations regarding escort and demands related to two crucial decisions of the Constitutional Court regarding the stages of nomination of regional heads, namely Decision Number 60/PUU/XXII/2024 and 70/PUU-XXII/2024.

According to information compiled by ANTARA, Thursday, August 22 to 10.30 WIB, they consist of elements of workers, the Labor Party, students and other elements of society. However, the front road of the DPR building can still be passed, even though there is only one route and is escorted by a number of police officers.

They appear to be still orderly in conducting demonstrations with points of action to guard the Constitutional Court Decision (MK) Number 60/PUU/XXII/2024 and 70/PUU-XXII/2024. In their demands, the Labor Party urges the DPR RI not to fight and change the decisions of the Constitutional Court Number 60/PUU/XXII/2024 and 70/PUU-XXII/2024.

"The people must unite to continue to oversee this Constitutional Court decision. The people must fight the current regime. Don't just be silent," said one of the orators.

Previously, the House of Representatives (DPR) postponed a plenary meeting to ratify the Pilkada Bill (RUU) which was actually held Thursday (22/8/2024). Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, explained that this delay occurred because the number of members of the DPR who attended did not meet the quorum.

"Only 89 members attended, while the other 87 permits. Therefore, we will reschedule the Deliberative Body (Bamus) meeting to determine the new time of the plenary meeting because the quorum was not fulfilled," said Dasco at the DPR building.

Dasco also added that in accordance with the rules and regulations in the DPR, plenary meetings must meet the provisions of the quorum.

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court decided two crucial decisions related to the stages of nomination of regional heads, namely Decision Number 60/PUU/XXII/2024 and 70/PUU-XXII/2024. Decision Number 60/PUU/XXII/2024 changes the threshold for candidacy for political parties or coalitions of political parties to carry out candidate pairs for regional heads and candidates for deputy regional heads.

Decision Number 70/PUU-XXII/2024 confirms that the minimum age limit for regional head candidates is calculated since the appointment of candidate pairs by the General Election Commission (KPU). The decision invalidated the previous Supreme Court decision which stated that the age limit was calculated since the elected candidate pair was sworn in.

However, on Wednesday, the Legislation Body of the DPR RI and the government agreed to continue the discussion of the Draft Law (RUU) on the Fourth Amendment to Law Number 1 of 2015 or the Pilkada Bill at the nearest DPR plenary meeting to be ratified into law. There are two crucial materials for the Pilkada Bill agreed in the Working Meeting of the Pilkada Bill.

First, the adjustment of Article 7 of the Pilkada Law related to the terms of age of candidacy in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court. Second, amendments to Article 40 by accommodating some decisions of the Constitutional Court which amend the provisions on the threshold for the nomination of regional elections by imposing only non-parliamentary parties or not having seats in the DPRD.