Muhammadiyah Calls Postponement Of Elections And Extension Of President's Office A Violation Of The Constitution

JAKARTA - The discourse of postponing the election has made the Muhammadiyah Central Executive concerned. They also asked the political elite to stop the discourse and encourage politicians to be wise and put the interests of the nation above the interests of individuals or groups.

"Don't add to the nation's problems with discourses that have the potential to violate the constitution," said General Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah, Abdul Mu'ti, in a written statement received by Antara, in Jakarta, Saturday, February 26.

Mu'ti urged the elite not to add to the problem by breaking the law. The elites are actually asked to be able to understand the conditions and feelings of the community.

He advised not to use the survey as a benchmark that must be followed. Because for him, the survey data could be so weak and inaccurate.

"It is better if the discourse on postponing the election, which has implications for extending the term of office of the President-Vice President, Ministers, DPD, DPR and DPRD and other related positions, is ended. Let's think clearly and in the long term," he said.

Previously, the Chairperson of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar proposed postponing the 2024 General Election on the grounds of maintaining the momentum of economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, the General Chair of the PAN DPP Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that his party agreed with the proposed postponement of the 2024 General Election by considering five points.

"With various considerations and input from the community and various groups, PAN has decided to agree that the 2024 General Election will be postponed," said Zulkifli.

Meanwhile, Political Observer at Paramadina University, A. Khoirul Umam, assessed that the discourse of postponing the 2024 general election for 1-2 years is a proposal that is full of political interests and does not reflect the spirit of democracy in Indonesia.

According to Umam, the economic recovery due to COVID-19, which is often used as a reason for delays, is unacceptable because the 2020 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) was held during the pandemic.

"The argument proposing the postponement of the 2024 general election is very cliché and full of calculations of political interests," said Umam.