Asked Why Elections Must Be Delayed, Luhut: I Asked What's The Reason For Pak Jokowi's Resignation?

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan/DOK VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan spoke on the issue of postponing the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) and extending the presidential term.

To reporters, Luhut actually questioned why President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had to step down from his position. This was conveyed when Luhut was asked about the reason for the postponement of the election.

"The reason for the delay, I want to ask you, what was the reason for making Pak Jokowi step down? Is there a reason?" said Luhut to reporters in Jakarta quoted on Wednesday, March 16.

Luhut then explained that he often gets questions from the public about the reason for the elections to be held in 2024. Because, he claims, people feel that the current condition is fine.

"Many people have asked, what I caught is, yes. It may be true, it may or may not be true, now we are calm," he said.

In addition, many people also assess why they have to spend so large a budget to carry out the 2024 General Election, including the presidential election. Moreover, at this time, all parties are still busy to restore the economy.

"Secondly, why do you want to spend so much money on the presidential election now. Come on later. We are still busy with COVID, the situation is still like this, and so on. That's a question," said Luhut, imitating the narration from the people he heard.

"Why do we have to rush? We are tired of the term kadrun versus kadrun, what is the term for that. We want peace, that's all," he added.

Luhut said that all input from the community would be heard. However, the final process remains to be determined by the members of parliament.

"It's a process. If later the process goes to the DPR, it's good. If the DPR doesn't agree, then it stops," he said.

"If it comes to the DPR, the MPR doesn't agree to stop. That's our democracy, why should we be angry? Is something wrong?" added Luhut.

Furthermore, on that occasion, Luhut also denied that he had ever met with a number of general chairmen or political party officials to discuss postponing the election and extending his term of office. He admits that he never did that.

"There is no (meeting or summoning political party officials, ed)," he concluded.