The President Must Have The Courage To Strictly Reprimand The Ministers And The Head Of Political Parties Who 'Play' On The Issue Of Election Delays

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has banned his ministers from talking again about postponing the election. However, Jokowi's assertive attitude is considered only a word.

How not, instead of rewarding Jokowi's sanctions, he actually gave ministers who were keen to talk about postponing the election for a new position. Yes, recently the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan was appointed as Chairman of the National Water Resources (SDA) Council.

Due to the actions of ministers and general chairmen of political parties who are keen to voice the discourse of postponing the election, students from all over Indonesia have taken to the streets demanding that Jokowi only have two terms without an extension of the presidential term.

As is known, the general chairpersons of political parties who have discussed postponing the general election are PKB General Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, PAN Chairperson Zulkifli Hasan, and Golkar Party Chairperson Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, And Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto.

Therefore, the Democratic Party hopes that President Jokowi will show a firm stance by reprimanding the ministers and general chairmen of political parties who are still discussing the postponement of the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) and the extension of the presidential term.

"If the president (Jokowi) has no intention of having three terms, there is no intention of extending it, then the three political party leaders will be reprimanded by the minister," said Chairman of the Strategic Communications Agency for the Democratic Party, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, some time ago.

In line with the Democrats, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) even challenged President Jokowi to impose sanctions on his ministers who insisted on delaying the 2024 election.

Deputy Chairperson of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Syuro Council, Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW) assessed that sanctions should be given as a sign of the seriousness of the statement made by Jokowi at the cabinet plenary meeting.

According to HNW, what President Jokowi said warning the ministers to stop talking about postponing the election was quite appropriate.

"President Jokowi's statement prohibiting ministers from talking about postponing (election) or extending (Presidential term) is good," said HNW, Thursday, April 7.

However, said HNW, Jokowi's statement should also be followed with firmness, namely the imposition of sanctions.

"But it's even better if there are concrete steps, compliance with the prohibition, and if anyone violates it under any pretext, sanctions will be imposed," said the Deputy Chair of the MPR.

"As proof of its seriousness, PKS asks Jokowi to dare to impose sanctions on ministers," he continued.

The firm sanction, added HNW, was also aimed at Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. This is because he believes that Luhut has been the one who has been the most diligent in voicing the discourse.

"Including the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries LBP, if you don't carry out the President's directives by still insisting on voting, postpone the election or extend the president's term of office," he said.

Meanwhile, the Political Observer at Al Azhar University Indonesia, Ujang Komarudin, assessed that the three general chairpersons of political parties who participated in voicing the postponement of the election were problematic. They are afraid that Luhut will break the case.

Therefore, they will submit and obey what Luhut ordered. This includes vigorously promoting the extension of the president's term of office.

"Those general chairmen who agree have a case, the case is held by Jokowi, by Luhut, so they can't do anything," Ujang told reporters, Thursday, April 7.

Therefore, according to the Executive Director of the Indonesia Political Review (IPR), if Jokowi is firm, then Coordinating Minister for Investment and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, who has been the most passionate about voting for the postponement of the election, should be immediately removed.

"Luhut also deserves to be reshuffled because he has promoted a lot of election delays. But, does President Jokowi have the courage?" said Ujang.