Observer: If The Majority Of Political Parties In Parliament Agree, Jokowi's Extension Of Term Will Become A Reality

President Joko Widodo (Photo: RI Cabinet Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Political parties seem to have begun to waver with the proposal to postpone the 2024 General Election initiated by the General Chair of the PKB, Muhaimin Iskandar. In fact, the General Chair of PAN Zulkifli Hasan has stated that he agrees with the proposal for several reasons. Among them are the ongoing pandemic and the start of the Russia vs Ukraine crisis. Now, the Golkar Party will also seriously examine the discourse on extending the term of office of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as a result of the postponement of the 2024 General Election. Responding to this phenomenon, a political observer from Al Azhar University Indonesia Andriadi Achmad, said that the scenario of postponing the 2024 General Election had actually been around for a long time. related to preparedness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it must be remembered that all must comply with the constitution which stipulates that elections be held in 2024. Unless, there is a change to the election law, it is agreed upon in parliament.

"If you read about PKB politics, suddenly through Ketum Cak Imin, he proposes that the election be postponed and Jokowi's term of office be extended, the question needs to be, what's wrong?," Andriadi told VOI, Friday, February 25.

Then, he continued, several other political parties such as PAN and Golkar have started to support the postponement of the election. "If the majority of political parties in parliament approve the proposed postponement of the election, then the opportunity to postpone the election and extend Jokowi's term of office will become a reality," said Andriadi.

According to the Executive Director of PolCom SRC, there is no need to postpone the 2024 election. According to him, political parties in parliament should not need to tinker and make proposals that violate the mandate of reform and amendment to the 1945 Constitution, one of which is related to the presidential term limit of only two terms. "Even if the 2024 general election and presidential election are still postponed, then the president and vice president will be served by the acting (temporary acting)," said Andriadi. "As well as members of the DPRD, DPR RI, and DPD RI, should their term of office be extended? This is a PR and a big question. It will definitely cause complications and dilemmas in the implementation of the life of our nation and state," he continued.

Therefore, according to Andriadi, regardless of the economic conditions and readiness of the Indonesian people, the 2024 General Election and Presidential Election will still be held, although later it will not be optimal. This, he said, is much better than delaying. "Besides breaking the mandate of reform and creating complications in the government later on," said Andriadi.