Golkar DKI Claims Constituent Agrees Governor Appointed DPRD: The Important Thing Is That Legislatives Are Directly Chosen

Deputy Chairperson Of The DKI Jakarta DPRD From The Golkar Faction Basri Baco/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from the Golkar faction, Basri Baco, claims that constituents in his constituency (dapil) agree with the proposal of the Governor-Deputy Governor of Jakarta to be elected by the DPRD.

This was in response to the discourse of President Prabowo Subianto who wanted the governor until the regent was appointed by the DPRD.

"For me personally, my constituents agree more. The important thing is that the candidates are directly elected, the important thing is that the legislature is directly elected, the president is directly elected," Baco told reporters, Friday, January 10.

According to Baco, the DPRD is actually the extension of the people who voted for it in the legislative elections. So, it is natural that regional heads ranging from governors, regents, and mayors are appointed by council members.

"The governor, the mayor, yes, there are representatives named the provincial DPRD and the regency city DPRD," said Baco.

According to Baco, Prabowo is aware of the need to evaluate the electoral system in Indonesia. Referring to the 2024 Pilkada, the political costs of regional head and party candidates are very high.

"The cost is too high which is feared to roast the psychology of the governors, regents, mayors, who were elected because the costs incurred were too large and a lot," Baco explained.

However, as a member of the regional level legislature, Baco handed back the decision to the central government and the Indonesian House of Representatives regarding the discourse of regional heads being elected by the DPRD.

"We just think that there are good intentions and positive intentions. But this requires a long study, not fast either, not easy. From the center, it has been determined that we, DKI, are just following," he said.

Previously, Prabowo invited all general chairmen and leaders of political parties who were present at the Peak of the 60th Anniversary of the Golkar Party in Bogor, West Java, Thursday, December 12, 2024, to improve the political system that consumes tens of trillions in one or two days of each election.

The DPRD's discourse on regional head elections also emerged after President Prabowo Subianto alluded to the political system in Indonesia which was considered expensive and inefficient when compared to neighboring countries.

"I see that our neighboring countries are efficient. Malaysia, Singapore, India, once they choose DPRD members, once they choose, they have chosen governors, vote for regents. Efficients, no money comes out, money comes out, money comes out, like us," said Prabowo.