Ahmad Basarah Of PDIP: The National Capital Relocation Plan Must Be Guided By PPHN

Deputy Chairperson of the MPR RI Ahmad Basarah/Antara

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI Ahmad Basarah said the government's plan to move the State Capital to East Kalimantan must be guided with the State Policy Principles (PPHN).

"Without PPHN, who can guarantee that the president-elect in 2024 will actually implement and continue the IKN transfer plan," Basarah said in an official statement quoted by Antara, Sunday, August 29.

This is because the 1945 Constitution (UUD) of the Republic of Indonesia and Law 25 of 2004 concerning the National Development Planning System (SPPN), do not give any sanctions to the next president if the development program that has been implemented by the previous president is not continued.

This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo's plan to submit a presidential letter (surpres) related to the IKN Bill to the Indonesian House of Representatives.

Ahmad Basarah hopes that the big idea will get support from political parties and all elements of society for the good of the nation.

"President Jokowi's big idea must be used as a practical example to ensure the continuity of the IKN development plan," said the PDIP politician.

According to him, the support of parties and the entire community for the IKN transfer plan should ideally be manifested in the form of support for the MPR RI's plan to make limited amendments to the 1945 Constitution to accommodate PPHN.

The limited amendment only wants to include one paragraph in Article 3 which essentially gives the MPR the authority to amend and stipulate the PPHN or the Outline of State Policy (GBHN). Then add a paragraph in Article 23 which regulates the authority of the DPR RI to reject the APBN Bill proposed by the president if it does not conflict with the PPHN.

"I really hope that the intention of the MPR RI to carry out this limited amendment is not suspected of having any motive," said the chairman of the PDIP faction.

Moreover, if anyone suspects that he wants to change the constitution so that the president can serve three terms. The president may change, but the long-term national development plan must be sustainable and protected by the constitution.

The anchor of modern Indonesia's development should be returned to the noble ideals of the nation's founders who wanted national development to be based on the Universal and Planned National Development (PNSB) pattern.

"Bung Karno in the basic order era used to carry out PNSB and GBHN. Then in the new order era, Mr. Harto continued with the GBHN terminology," he said. Therefore, he believes it is time to return to PPHN.

If Indonesia has a PPHN, all the people through their representatives in Senayan will be free to ensure that the elected president implements the roadmap and blueprint for national development through the PPHN.

Through the PPHN, the president-elect describes the five-year development program in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) which has been prepared and described directly since the formation of the vision and mission as well as the program for presidential candidates participating in the presidential election contestation.

"Thus, national development will not run in place due to changing presidents, changing programs and policies," he said.

For example, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono once created the Sunda Strait Strategic Area and Infrastructure Development Agency. However, the project was canceled and dismissed by President Jokowi. This can be done because the SPPN Law does not regulate it, including the matter of sanctions.

"We don't want the president-elect in 2024 to do the same thing if there is no PPHN," he said.