PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun Hopes The Aceh Pilkada Will Run Peacefully

Chairman of the Central PWI Hendry Ch Bangun and former Deputy Governor of Aceh, Muhammad Nazar. (Doc PWI)

JAKARTA - The General Chair of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), Hendry Ch Bangun, emphasized the importance of holding the Aceh Pilkada peacefully and without conflict. This statement was made by Hendry when meeting with the former Deputy Governor of Aceh, Muhammad Nazar, at the PWI Office, Kebon Sirih, Jakarta, Monday, September 2.

Hendry Ch Bangun emphasized that PWI as an organization has no political interest in the Aceh Pilkada. However, PWI is very interested in making the democratic process in Aceh safe and peaceful. "We hope that the Aceh Pilkada will run without horizontal conflicts among people who feel they are not represented by the two candidates," said Hendry Ch Bangun.

Hendry also stated that PWI supports all the best for the people of Aceh. "PWI has no personal problems with the Aceh Pilkada. We support whatever is the best choice for the people of Aceh," he added.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Nazar expressed his disappointment with the democratic process in Aceh. According to Nazar, the democratic space in Aceh is currently not wide open. He initially planned to move forward through an independent route, but was hampered by the time to collect sufficient ID card support.

"I tried to approach various political parties," said Muhammad Nazar. However, his efforts were unsuccessful until the candidate registration period at the KPU ended. Nazar plans to take legal action, including filing a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court (MK), to extend the registration period for the Aceh Pilkada.

"This struggle is not for personal gain, but for the realization of a better democracy in Aceh," said Muhammad Nazar.

With a focus on holding a peaceful Aceh Pilkada and democratic participation, PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun and Muhammad Nazar hoped that Aceh could set a positive example in the implementation of democracy in Indonesia.