The Palace Makes Sure There Are No Talks About The Presidential Term For 3 Periods

President Jokowi (DOK Secretariat)

JAKARTA - The palace has confirmed that there will be no discussion regarding the discourse of extending the presidential term. Moreover, changing the rules for the term of office of the President from two to three terms.

"Reminding again, President Joko Widodo upholds the 1945 Constitution and is loyal to the 1998 Reformation," said Presidential Staff Staff for Communications M. Fadjroel Rachman in his statement, Saturday, June 19.

This, he continued, is in accordance with Article 7 of the 1st amendment of the 1945 Constitution. Where it states that 'the President and the Vice President hold office for a term of five years, and thereafter can be re-elected in the same office, only for one term'.

Citing what Jokowi said, Fadjroel said that the discourse of the President for the three periods only wanted to make a face and plunge him into a trap.

"President Jokowi's affirmation rejects the discourse of the president for 3 terms, the first on 12/2/2019. Some say that the president was elected for 3 periods, there are 3 (motives) in my opinion. One is to slap me in the face, the second is to look for face, even I already have a face, the third one wants to plunge. That's all, "explained Fadjroel quoting Jokowi's statement at the time.

Moreover, said Fadjroel, Jokowi made sure there was no intention or interest related to increasing the term of office.

He said President Jokowi hoped that all parties would not need to stir fry the issue. This is because the Indonesian government is focusing and working hard to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery of the national economy.

"Secondly, on 15/3/2021 I have no intention, no interest in becoming president for 3 terms. The constitution mandates 2 periods, that's what we must protect together. Don't make new noises, we are now focusing on handling the pandemic," he said. Fadjroel quoted Jokowi again.