TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi asserted his position as President who was directly elected by the people in accordance with the constitution. Thus, he said his government would abide by to the constitution.

“What else should I say? I have said it many times that my stance has not changed,” said the President in a statement at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, March 15.

He said he had no intention of becoming President for a third term. The 1945 Constitution, he added, had regulated two office terms for the president and the vice president, which must be obeyed by all.

“I assert this, I have no intention. I am not interested in becoming President for a third term. The constitution mandates two terms. That must be maintained together,” he remarked.

He appealed to all parties to prevent new uproars especially amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All elements should work hand in hand to get Indonesia out of the pandemic crisis and towards a new leap of progress, he said.

“Do not cause a new uproar. We are now focusing on containing the pandemic,” Jokowi said.

Issues on the third presidential term emerged including from the founder of the Ummat Party or Partai Ummat, Amien Rais. Via his YouTube channel on March 13, Amien accused the government of attempting to sway the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) into approving an amendment to the 1945 Constitution that would allow a third presidential term.

Read: MPR: No Proposal for Amendment to UUD 1945 on Third Presidential Term

EGI ADYATAMA