Amien Rais Still Not Satisfied, Asks Jokowi To Affirm President's Position Will End In October 2024

Chairman of the Ummat Party Syuro Council Amien Rais. (Between)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the Syuro Council of the Ummat Party, Amien Rais, apparently is still not satisfied with the attitude of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in responding to the issue of extending the presidential term. Jokowi stressed that the government had no intention of delaying last week's general election.

During the Ummat Party's 1 Year Anniversary, Amien Rais urged Jokowi to issue another statement emphasizing that the post of head of state to be held by the former governor of DKI Jakarta will end in October 2024.

"Pak Jokowi immediately makes a clear, straightforward, firm and powerful statement that you will absolutely terminate your position as President of the Republic of Indonesia on October 20, 2024, exactly as the constitution ordered," said Amien Rais, seen on the Ummat Party Youtube, Sunday, April 17.

Amien Rais also asked Jokowi to instruct all his staff to stop voicing the issue of extending the presidential term for any reason. This includes efforts to amend the 1945 Constitution.

"The reason that democracy allows the MPR to make amendments to this and that, is really just cheap excuses. They are tearing down the remaining buildings of our democracy. That too is very porous," said the former chairman of the MPR RI.

On that occasion, Amien Rais also suggested that the construction of the National Capital City (IKN) be suspended temporarily due to the large budget required. Then, Amien Rais also asked Jokowi not to increase the state debt.

"You only have 30 months as President. Try not to add more debt and serve the interests of the Indonesian people themselves, not the interests of the oligarchs who are more oriented towards serving foreign interests," he said.

Closing his speech, Amien Rais apologized if the statement he made offended a number of parties who have a different political stance with him.

"First of all, I apologize if my outspoken opinion offends several parties who have different views. I still respect the need for dissenting opinions in a country where most of the people still believe in democracy with its pluses and minuses," he said.