The Alleged Story Behind Calls to Delay the 2024 Elections

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The latest Tempo Magazine edition reported that the Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan had allegedly asked political party leaders within the government coalition to publicly advocate prolonging the President’s term along with delaying the 2024 election.

According to the Magazine’s March 5 edition, the political party leaders consisted of Golkar chairperson Airlangga Hartarto, PKB Chair Muhaimin Iskandar, and PAN Chair Zulkifli Hasan. 

Prior to making the presidential term extension a social discourse, seven political party leaders within the government coalition claimed that Muhaimin Iskandar, Airlangga Hartarto, and Zulkifli Hasan were summoned separately by Luhut Pandjaitan. 

Pandjaitan then asked the Party chairmen to publicly advocate for extending President Joko Widodo’s term and delaying the 2024 general elections. 

Another source from within the Golkar Party stated that Airlangga was told not to disregard this instruction and even claims that his position as coordinating minister of economic affairs would be replaced and the position as Golkar chairman would be affected. 

Airlangga Hartarto did not respond to Tempo’s request for interviews sent to his mobile phone. A number of Golkar Party politicians also remained tight-lipped when asked for comments. 

PKB deputy chairman Jazilul Fawaid denies that Muhaimin Iskandar was ordered by Luhut Pandjaitan nor had the two men ever met. 

“It is not true. There were no meetings with Luhut regarding the elections,” Zulkifli stated in a text message on March 5. 

Meanwhile, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has yet to respond to Tempo’s questions regarding his alleged meeting with political party leaders and the presidential term discourse. 

Luhut’s spokesperson Jodi Mahardi did not deny that his boss reportedly communicated with political party leaders and said it is commonplace for Luhut to discuss state issues with political party figures. 

“It’s natural for pak Luhut to express his views and admiration for President Jokowi’s leadership,” said Jodi on March 5. 

Read: Delaying 2024 Election Can Spark Conflicts, Says Former Vice President

TEMPO.CO | TEMPO MAGAZINE