Discourse On 3 Presidential Periods, Formappi Alludes To Groups Of People To Political Parties Afraid Of Losing Power

President Jokowi when confirming that he does not want to serve as president for 3 terms (Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

JAKARTA - Chairman of Forappi Lucius Karus assessed that the discourse on a three-term presidential term was driven by fears that the ruling circle would lose its power after the end of the current presidential term in 2024.

"People who have enjoyed power are afraid of losing power," said Lucius in a virtual discussion of the Syndicate Election Update entitled "Three-Term Presidential Discourses From Where It Came From, Where It's Going" on Wednesday, June 23.

Lucius explained that the discourse of 3 presidential terms was not only in the Jokowi era but also in the era of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). In fact, this discourse appeared just before Jokowi was sworn in in October 2019.

"I think the push for constitutional amendments always appeared in the second period of government, both in the SBY and Jokowi eras. It must have been driven by the fear that was afflicted by the supporting political parties, who felt that after 5 years the period of power disappeared," he explained.

"So, it's something natural that power is a pleasure and almost certainly people who have enjoyed power always have a desire to prolong it," continued Lucius.

According to him, it is not too surprising that the discourse on the three-term term has emerged. What really surprises me, said Lucius, is that this discourse has appeared wildly recently in the public sphere without any official statements from political parties, DPR, MPR, and DPD.

"This is interesting, then it becomes difficult to point out whose nose is the most responsible for this discourse. Which interest groups can we appoint as a group that has an interest in this discourse?," he said.

This, he continued, was the reason why in Jokowi's second term, the discourse on changing the term of office seemed to be discussed longer than the SBY era in 2010.

"The only thing is because the MPR opens space for that. Until now they have not closed the tap on amending the constitution to restore the GBHN in our constitution," he said.

At the same time, said Lucius, many groups have an interest in ensuring that the issues they push for are amended along with the MPR's desire to amend the constitution to restore the GBHN.

"So I think the naughty thoughts in many figures who have emerged recently, are maintained by the MPR, which until now has not been clear (his attitude, ed) to amend the constitution to restore the GBHN," he explained.

Lucius suspects that not only are people thinking of extending the term of office of the president, but that there are many groups with their own interests that have agendas related to constitutional amendments.

For example, the DPD to strengthen its authority. Then there are also groups who want the president to be elected by the MPR.

"I think these discourses at the beginning of 2020 or the end of 2019 were discussed a lot and until now the DPR/MPR have never issued an official statement that they are withdrawing the agenda to restore the GBHN in our constitution," he said.

As long as the discourse has not been withdrawn, there is room or opportunity for the respective interest groups to make changes in the constitution, said Lucius, the rogue parties seem to get wind of waiting for the time to amend to restore the GBHN.

At the same time, according to Lucius, this group will emerge, including the wildest is the discourse of extending the term of office of the president.

"And when this appears wildly in the public sphere without any political party claiming it, I think it can be interpreted as bait. We don't know for sure whether in the DPR or MPR the discussion regarding changes to the constitution related to this term of office is being discussed," he said.

Recognition at the end of 2019 from PKS, for example, regarding the discussion regarding the presidential term in their discourse on amending the constitutional mandate.

"I think it's hard to believe then that no political party has announced plans for this term of office," said Lucius.

Lucius said that political parties would definitely benefit from the discourse on extending the term of office of the president because the affairs of the president are part of the affairs of political parties. Only those who are allowed to nominate the president until it is certain that the extension of this term of office will be enjoyed by political parties.

"Only now playing directly to bring up this discourse is certainly risky, especially later it won't, so it will backfire for political parties," said Lucius.