Firmly, PDIP Doesn't Want Three-Term Presidential Terms

PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto stressed that his party does not want to increase the President's term of office to three terms or more than ten years.

This is in response to the re-emergence of the issue of increasing the presidential term in the amendment to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. Moreover, Hasto said, Jokowi has also refused to support the addition of his term of office.

"The PDI-P has adhered to the constitution from the start and Pak Jokowi has emphasized it many times. So there is no idea from the PDI-P about a three-term presidential term or an extension of the term of office," said Hasto in his statement, Saturday, September 18.

Hasto explained that the proposed limited amendment to the 1945 Constitution that was rolled out by PDIP only emphasized the issue of the Outline of State Policy (GBHN). He views that the current constitution has been formed by containing all the philosophical foundations of the life of the nation.

After all, he said, PDIP's PR is not to maintain the leadership figure that was carried, but to continue the development relay that has been abandoned by President Jokowi in the future.

"We have traces of history in the seventh century, namely the construction of Borobudur Temple. It was built one hundred years. We also want sustainable development of the country. If it was possible, why can't now. Now because we have no direction, then change leadership, change policies, too. " said Hasto.

Previously, the issue of amendments to the 1945 Constitution was heating up again. The issue of changing the rules for the presidential term of office is revolving in the amendments.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo previously stated that he would not interfere with the MPR RI at all regarding amendments to the 1945 Constitution, especially regarding the presidential term.

Spokesperson for President Joko Widodo, Fadjroel Rachman, said that Jokowi had expressed a political stance to be in line with the 1945 Constitution, namely the term of office is only two terms.

"The president has shown a political stance and this does not interfere with the agenda of the MPR. We are only stating the political stance of President Joko Widodo that he is loyal to the 45 Constitution," said Fadjroel, Saturday, September 11.

Fadjroel said Jokowi still adhered to the constitution, especially Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution which says 'The President and Vice President hold their positions for five years and after that they can be re-elected in the same office for only one term'.

"He is upright in Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution and then he has also said, apart from 3 periods of extension, he did not," said Fadjroel.

"This is the President's political stance, because we must not interfere with the amendment or the amendment agenda," he added.

However, Fadjroel stated that the government also cannot prohibit if there are parties who are discussing amendments. He called the discourse of every citizen is a constitutional right.

"This is only a constitutional right if we have a discourse, that's what we hold. As long as it doesn't violate the law, it doesn't violate the applicable laws and regulations," he concluded.