Questioning The Discourse Of Regional Heads Chosen By DPRD, KPU Chair Says This

Chairman of the Indonesian KPU Mochammad Afifuddin. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

Chairman of the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU) Mochammad Afifuddin said his agency was following the existing rules to respond to the discourse regarding regional heads being elected by the DPRD.

"We, as organizers in this context, will carry out as the rules," said Afifuddin as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, December 14.

He explained that the discourse on regional head elections by the DPRD was not new in Indonesia.

Just like before 2024, we discussed whether we are experiencing a system proportional to an open, closed list of names. It also appeared at a certain time and at the end, we have to carry out what is mandated by law," he said again.

He considered that the discourse on the ideality of regional head elections was not one of the post-pilkada dynamics, but still needed to be considered important.

"This is the importance of evaluation, the importance of discourse, which after all we choose, any step, must start from a rule or law that according to the plan to become a prolegnas (national legislation program)," he said.

Previously, the discourse on regional head elections by the DPRD emerged, after President Prabowo Subianto alluded to the political system in Indonesia which was considered expensive and inefficient when compared to neighboring countries.

"I see that our neighboring countries are efficient. Malaysia, Singapore, India, once they choose DPRD members, once they choose, they have chosen governors, vote for regents. Efficients, money does not come out, money comes out, money comes out, like us...," said President Prabowo when giving a speech at the 60th Anniversary of the Golkar Party, at Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor, West Java, Thursday 12 December 2024.