The Polemic Of President Jokowi's 3 Periods Discourse

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Twitter @jokowi)

JAKARTA - The discourse on a three-period presidential has again emerged in the public sphere after the issue of amendments to the 1945 Constitution emerged. In addition, there was a volunteer named the Jokowi-Prabowo 2024 Community or Jokpro who announced their support for President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) so that he could serve as president for 3 periods.

However, Jokpro wants Jokowi to be side by side with Prabowo Subianto as Vice President in this third period. Several reasons were given why they supported Jokowi running as president for the third time.

Advisor to the 2024 Jokpro Community, M Qodari, assessed that the duet of Jokowi and Prabowo in the 2024 presidential election could ease the burden of political costs to be incurred.

In addition, the presidential election will take place in a more controlled manner, and in 2024 Indonesia will not experience any more clashes.

This discourse was again making noise, after some time disappeared. Moreover, this issue arose in the midst of the increasingly critical COVID-19 pandemic.

No doubt, the majority of parties, including political parties, experts, academics, the public, and Jokowi's volunteers, have firmly rejected the discourse. In fact, the Palace has repeatedly emphasized that Jokowi will not run again. The reason is the same, it violates the constitution.

Political Parties Firmly Reject

The National Mandate Party (PAN) firmly rejected the discourse. Because the limitation of two periods is in accordance with the constitution.

"Because we obey the constitution, the current presidential period can be extended by 5 years later for one period or period. So it's only a maximum of two periods," said Chairman of PAN faction of the DPR RI, Saleh Daulay, to reporters, Monday, June 21.

According to him, the discourse of President Jokowi serving three periods is a proposal that is contrary to the 1945 Constitution. This issue, said Saleh, could create political turmoil amid the concentration of handling the pandemic.

"Something that is contrary to the 1945 Constitution should not be exaggerated, it can create a commotion, a polemic, so it must be stopped immediately," said Saleh.

Moreover, he continued, Jokowi's three-period presidential proposal had repeatedly been rejected outright. In fact, Jokowi said the discourse slapped himself in the face.

"Because of that, of course, he doesn't want to be president for the third time, he doesn't want to deny the mandate of reform," Saleh explained.

Saleh also asked all elements of society to no longer fuss about the three-periods presidential office.

"Just stop that plan. Let's not focus on managing the president for three periods, making things worse, making noise," he said.

In line with that, the chairman of the Golkar faction of the MPR, Idris Laena, emphasized that Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution are the undisputed foundations of the state. This is because, although the body of the 1945 Constitution can be amended, it is not easy because the requirement for submitting amendments is at least 1/3 of the total members of the MPR.

This was said by Idris in response to the discourse on the amendment of the 1945 Constitution regarding the proposed presidential period of office which could be changed to 3 periods.

"The Preamble to the 1945 Constitution has become a consensus that it cannot be changed," Idris told reporters on Monday, June 21.

The Golkar politician also commented on the survey results of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) which stated that 74 percent of the public wanted a presidential period limit of only 2 periods.

Idris assessed, this perception must be maintained. This is because it is in line with the spirit of reform that has been fought for.

"Therefore, we should appreciate President Jokowi's firm stance against three periods," said the Riau legislator.

The former chairman of the Jokowi-Amin Regional Campaign Team (TKD) deeply regrets if the issue of the 3 presidential periods continues to emerge and be rolled out. Moreover, Jokowi himself is focusing on overcoming the pandemic.

Meanwhile, regarding the survey results which stated that the majority of citizens did not agree with Jokowi running again in the 2024 presidential election, the members of the four-period DPR considered that they were in accordance with Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution.

"There it is stated that the President and Vice President hold office for five years, and after that, they can be re-elected in the same office, only for one period," he explained.

According to him, the majority of highly educated citizens who reject the idea of Jokowi's re-nomination in the 2024 presidential election, show that the public wants the constitution to be implemented consistently.

"Therefore, Jokowi's assertion which states that those who want him to come back for the third time want to plunge him, it may become reality," said Idris.

Legal Expert

Law expert at Al-Azhar University Indonesia, Suparji Ahmad, criticized the re-emergence of the discourse of a three-period presidential period. According to him, the narrative is not appropriate to be echoed in the midst of the condition of the nation which is currently fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Speaking of that is indeed the right of expression in a democratic climate. But it would not be appropriate if it was conveyed at this time considering that Indonesia is trying to deal with COVID-19," said Suparji, Monday, June 21.

Moreover, he continued, the discourse of a three-period president does not yet have positive legal legitimacy. This is because the constitution has mandated that the presidential period of office is limited to two periods.

He explained that Article 9 of the 1945 Constitution states that the President and Vice President hold office for five years and thereafter can be re-elected in the same office, only for one period.

"So the current three-period president is not in accordance with the constitution," said Suparji.

Because it collides with the constitution, said Suparji, it is natural that the majority of people reject the discourse. In fact, the issues circulating on social media can be investigated whether they contain elements of Article 15 or 15 of Law Number 1946 regarding the spread of fake news that causes trouble.

"Because the constitution clearly states that the positions of president and vice president can only be held for two periods. But how come it is announced to be re-nominated," he said.

For that, Suparji hopes for academics, researchers, and political activists to narrate according to the constitution and good political theory. Therefore, the false narrative needs to be stopped immediately.

“Academics are tasked with rectifying narratives that are contrary to the constitution. It's not actually in the name of the people to violate it," he said.

Jokowi Volunteers

Joko Widodo's National Secretariat (Jokowi's National Secretariat) assesses that the aspirations of the 3 presidential periods are better stopped because they violate the constitution.

Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution states: The President and the Vice President hold office for five years, and thereafter can be re-elected in the same office, only for one period.

"As a form of aspiration, it is legal, but if the aspiration violates the constitution, it should be stopped. Because it can damage and even plunge President Joko Widodo," said Secretary-General of Jokowi's National Secretariat, Dedy Mawardi, Monday, June 21.

Dedy emphasized that President Jokowi has also repeatedly rejected the presidential period of office for 3 periods. According to him, the discourse can even plunge President Jokowi.

On the other hand, Dedy emphasized that Jokowi's National Secretariat was not involved in the formation of the JokPro 2024 volunteer community.

"Jokowi's National Secretariat is not involved in the formation of the JokPro volunteer organization," he said.