Golkar Politicians Agree That Regional Heads Will Be Chosen By DPRD Instead Of The People

Illustration of the 2024 General Election and Regional Head Elections at TPS 44, Permata Hijau Lestari Complex, Rappocini, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Wednesday, February 14, 2024. (ANTARA-Darwin Fatir)

JAKARTA - Politician and chairman of the Golkar Party faction of the MPR RI, Melchias Markus Mekeng admitted that he would agree more if the regional head was elected by the DPRD than through the direct regional elections by the people. Because according to him, the elected regional head is more clear in terms of quality and capacity than those who run for themselves only by a factor of many supporters.

"This is not Golkar's decision, yes, this is my personal opinion. I prefer to be elected by the DPRD. Because frankly, being directly elected by the people also does not make the regions more advanced," said Mekeng at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 29.

"The fact is that many regions rely on their lives from the center. The creativity of the leadership chosen by the people is not there. After he sat down, he was confused about how to make money," he continued.

So according to Mekeng, it is better for regional head elections to be returned to the DPRD such as the era of President Soeharto's administration. He considered that this regional election would also minimize the practice of money politics.

"So I think it's better than in the past, in the days of Pak Harto. If the DPRD chooses, people who are right are chosen. Not as long as people who have money, can continue to be regents, become governors. But people who have quality, leadership abilities, integrity of all kinds," said the member of Commission XI of the DPR.

In addition, according to Mekeng, the election of regional heads by the DPRD is also not too heavy for costs. It is different if the Pilkada is directly elected by the people.

"That's an expensive cost. We don't pay the people, but collect the community, it's also a big cost. Meanwhile, their salary is small. Now that's an opportunity for people to think about how to return the money," explained Mekeng.

Mekeng assessed that political parties and the DPR would definitely sit down together to discuss the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) regarding the separation of national and regional elections.

"Well, that can be said later. Because there are central elections and regional elections are separate, what to think about. But in a mechanism, I prefer to choose the DPRD," he concluded.