Jokowi Might Want To Postpone Election But Shame That He Uses Political Party Chiefs, Observers Say

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Lukas

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo's statement regarding the discourse on postponing the 2024 General Election that was thrown by the Chairman of the PKB Muhaimin Iskadar was in the spotlight. Jokowi's attitude is considered not firm in responding to issues that are rejected by the public all-out.

The issue of extending the president's term of office is not new. Since 2019, the issue has emerged.

The first time, Jokowi immediately responded. The former governor of DKI firmly rejects the discourse of extending the presidential term. He said at that time, the issuer of the issue was the same as falling and slapping his face.

For the latest issue, Jokowi has again refused. Only this time, he was not firm because he said the proposal was part of democracy. In response, Ujang Komarudin, a political observer from Al Azhar University in Indonesia, said that Jokowi's statement this time reflected his inconsistency as a leader of the country.

"Well, that's why Pak Jokowi is inconsistent and consistent. If Pak Jokowi consistently acts and behaves, then there are no more winged words. It should be as firm as before that whoever talks about it will be like slapping his face, right," said Ujang, Monday. , March 7th.

The executive director of the Indonesia Political Review (IPR) emphasized that a leader is held to his words so he must be consistent. Because he said, the elite must set an example. "If his words are inconsistent, then what is imitated by the people," said Ujang.

"It should have been answered firmly and straightforwardly yesterday, don't use winged words that will make people confused and angry," he continued.

Regarding Cak Imin's proposal, according to Ujang, the chairman of the PKB was under pressure so that it seemed as if he had slapped the president in the face. Moreover, rumors circulated that Cak Imin had deliberately made a proposal because the palace had confirmed it.

"I saw that there was pressure on the actors so it was confirmed from the investigation that I thought that was the direction," he said.

"It's like, if we want to speak honestly, (Jokowi) is embarrassed but willing and finally uses the hands of other party leaders to talk like that," said Ujang.

As is known, in 2019 the discourse to carry Jokowi as president for 3 terms was crowded when there was an issue to amend the 1945 Constitution.

At that time, Jokowi immediately responded to the issue. He loudly said that he did not agree with the proposed extension of the president's term of office.

He even suspected that there were parties who wanted to plunge him into proposing the discourse.

"If someone proposes it, there are three (motives) in my opinion, wanting to slap me in the face, wanting to look for my face, or wanting to plunge me. That's all," said Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, December 2, 2019.

The issue of extending the president's term of office will return to March 2021. This follows a statement by former MPR Chair Amien Rais who said that there was a scenario for changing the provisions of the 1945 Constitution regarding the presidential term.

Jokowi again spoke loudly. He emphasized that he had no intention and no interest in serving for 3 terms.

"I emphasize, I have no intention. No one is also interested in becoming president for three terms," Jokowi said via the Presidential Secretariat YouTube, Monday, March 15, 2021.

This attitude, he said, would never change. As stated in the 1945 Constitution, the term of office of the president is limited to two terms. Most recently, the general chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar proposed a postponement of the election.

He admitted to hearing input from entrepreneurs, owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to economic analysts before submitting the proposal.

"From all these (inputs) I propose that the 2024 General Election be postponed for one or two years," said Muhaimin, quoted from his press statement, Wednesday, February 23. However, this time Jokowi is not as loud as his previous statement. He only emphasized that he would submit and obey the constitution. In fact, according to him, the proposed postponement of the election is not prohibited because it is part of democracy.

"Anyone is allowed to propose a discourse on postponing the election and extending the term of office of the president, minister or political party, because this is democracy. You are free to have an opinion. However, when it is implemented, everything must be subject to and obey the constitution," said Jokowi.

Special Staff to the Minister of State Secretary Faldo Maldini also emphasized that Jokowi's stance regarding the proposal to postpone the 2024 Simultaneous General Elections (Pemilu) does not need to be tampered with.

"The President's statement has been spoken, it means it can be understood, there is no need to tamper with it," said Faldo.

He also said the President's statement did not need to be translated into various versions.

"The president has clearly acted. Don't let anyone create imagination, be surprised by his imagination, continue to be angry with his own imagination, isn't it weird," continued Faldo.