Jokowi Affirms Political Party Intelligence Data Does Not Violate Law, All Presidents Routinely Get Data

President Joko Widodo (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Rusman)

BANDUNG - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that he had acted in accordance with the law related to the intelligence issue of political parties which were considered by some to violate the democratic order. "How to violate, it's the law (to secure) its report to the president, please try to check it," said Jokowi on the sidelines of the visit of PT Pindad Bandung, West Java, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, September 19. Jokowi emphasized that the data was routinely obtained from intelligence agencies of various agencies related to various problems. "I routinely get reports from the Police, Bais TNI, BIN, they routinely get reports related to politics, economy, social media. It's routine, and all presidents are the same," he said. Previously, the president stated that he had intelligence data regarding political parties while attending the Jokowi National Secretariat volunteer National Working Meeting at the Salak Hotel, Bogor City, West Java, Saturday, September 16, 2023. "I know what kind of party it is in. I want them to go where I also understand," said Jokowi, some time ago. He stated that in the next three elections will determine the fate of Indonesia, whether it will become a developed country or stagnant. The president's statement also received attention from various parties such as Senayan politicians and various non-governmental organizations such as the civil society coalition for security sector reforms that condemned state intelligence actions that made political parties the object and target of monitoring. They considered it a threat to democracy. The coalition consists of Impartials, PBHI, Amnesty International, YLBHI, Kontras, Centra Initiative, Elsam, Walhi, ICW, HRWG, LBH Masyarakat and Setara Institute.

"This is a serious problem in the life of democracy in Indonesia. It cannot and cannot be in a democratic country," said PBHI Chairman Julius Hebrew in his official statement, last Saturday.