Jokowi Asks To Stop Identity Politics, Surya Paloh: It Will Be There

DOK VOI/ NasDem Chairman Surya Paloh with Gerindra Chairman Prabowo Subianto/PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh

JAKARTA - Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, said that President Joko Widodo's warning that there should be more identity politics in the 2024 election was a moral message for all elements of the nation.

"This is a moral message addressed to all of us", said Surya Paloh while attending the MPR Annual Session at the parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, August 16.

According to him, identity politics must always exist in every democratic contestation. "Identity politics must exist", he said.

However, Paloh assessed that the identity politics that Jokowi meant was politics that caused divisions among the nation's children. As happened in the last 2019 election.

"The identity politics he meant may have been destructive, which collided the spirit and values of our unity with the interests of our own identity groups. I think that's the moral message there. So, all of his speeches were good", he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo stated that he fully supports preparations for the 2024 Simultaneous Elections which will be held by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on February 14, 2024.

"We must fully support the stages of the general election that the KPU is preparing for", said Jokowi in his speech to the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The head of state then reminded that the 2024 election would no longer be colored by polarization, as happened in the 2019 election.

"I remind you, no more identity politics. No more politicizing religion. No more social polarization. Our democracy must mature. National consolidation must be strengthened", said Jokowi.