TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Palace refused to comment much on the subpoena given to President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, over allegations of abuse of power by advocates from the Indonesian Democratic Defenders Team (TPDI) and Perekat Nusantara.

“There is no specific response to the subpoena,” Ari Dwi Payana, a coordinator of the Presidential Special Staff, told Tempo on Friday, December 8.

Ari said that with or without the subpoena, the President remains committed to achieving a quality democracy, maintaining the neutrality of the state apparatus, and upholding the supremacy of the law.

On Wednesday, December 6, TPDI and Perekat Nusantara served a subpoena on the State Secretariat Ministry. One of TPDI's advocates, Petrus Selestinus, saw the Constitutional Court's (MK) October 16 ruling No.90/PUU-XXI/2023 on the presidential age limit as the tip of the iceberg that would expose Jokowi's political dynasty and nepotism.

TPDI and Perekat Nusantara demanded that Jokowi meet six of their demands within seven days. These include restoring the impartiality of the state apparatus, prohibiting intimidation and nepotism, repairing the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), eliminating abuse of power, and ending the political practice of holding hostages certain individuals involved in legal issues.

In his message on Friday, Ari said that every citizen, including advocates, has the freedom to voice ideas, opinions, hopes, and even criticism of state officials. Still, he underscored Jokowi's commitment to democracy, with or without the subpoena,

“Our country is a law-based democratic country,” said Ari.

The court's decision cleared the way for Jokowi's son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to run for vice president with Prabowo Subianto. The decision permitted candidates under the required age of 40 to run in the upcoming election, as long as they have been elected to regional office.

The verdict provoked widespread outrage since the court's Chief Justice at the time was Jokowi's brother-in-law, Anwar Usman. The latter was recently removed from office by the MK Ethics Council owing to a conflict of interest.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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