Prepping Steps for Presidential Term Extension
Translator
Editor
12 September 2022 09:11 WIB
Silfester Matutina, the chairperson of another supporter group Merah Putih Solidarity, backed Rambun’s statement. He recalled that in the initial agreement, the conference would not present the results of polls related to the presidential and vice presidential candidates. “The deal was made with Jokowi in the meeting at Bogor Palace on July 29. “The President did not want such an agenda,” he added.
Silfester revealed the detail of the meeting at Bogor Palace. At first, two members of the Musra committee presented the concept of the conference to the President. Projo Secretary General Handoko submitted plans to announce the names of presidential candidates based on the survey results. The President instantly made a response. “This is like a support declaration for a presidential candidate, I will not be okay with the parties later,” said Silfester, imitating Jokowi's words.
The chairman of the Musra Steering Committee, Andi Gani Nena Wea, then raised his hand to rectify Handoko's proposal. “It was agreed that it would not be announced,” said Silfester.
He rebutted the issue that Jokowi was the initiator of Musra. Instead, the President initially refused the event and just found out about it at the July 29 meeting. “But, in the end, the President perhaps had other considerations that the event was aimed at uniting the volunteers,” Silfester explained. “He thus attended the event”.
The chairman of the Musra Committee, Panel Barus, confirmed that there was an initial agreement not to announce the names of presidential candidates during the conference as it was feared it would affect similar events that would be held in 33 provinces. “Suggestions that the names of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates should not be presented have come from many parties and those indeed make sense,” said the Secretary General of Projo.
According to the panel, the decision to announce the names of presidential candidates was made in a sudden manner. A number of committee members and participants gathered in one room to discuss the results of the conference. President Jokowi and the First Lady were in the same room, by chance. The discussion rolled on. The committee spontaneously expressed its desire to declare the results of the conference. “How come a conference has no conclusion,” he said.
Hearing the request, Jokowi gave his approval. “Oh, that’s good. Go on,” said the Panel quoting Jokowi's answer. The state head even appreciated his supporter groups that accommodated the aspirations of the people, including about the third presidential term.
“This is the people’s forum. People are allowed to voice their views right? It shouldn’t be a problem if someone speaks of three terms. That is just a discourse. Anyone is allowed to state their opinion,” said Jokowi in his opening speech. He also emphasized that he would always bow to the constitution which limits the presidential term of office. “Once again, I will always bow to the constitution and the people’s will.”
The buzzers of Jokowi's third presidential term.
According to Utje Gustaf Patty, chairperson of President Jokowi Volunteer Line (Bara JP), the result of the meeting will become the organization’s fundamental reason to continue backing Jokowi in running again as a presidential candidate. In spite of widespread defiance, he still clinched hope for Jokowi’s longer presidential term. “Because that will be his destiny. It is destined in history. He will not hold office only for 10 years.”
Populi Center senior researcher, Usep S. Ahyar, said the idea of extending Jokowi’s position in power to the third presidential term must be rejected. If not, it will only motivate Jokowi to political intricacies. “Because they are currently in power,” Usep said.
He argued that President Jokowi, along with his supporters, must listen to the voices of the people in limiting the presidential term to two terms, as the constitution mandates. Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution (UUD) regulates the term in office for a president and vice president to two terms and cannot be elected again.
Jokowi, he said, must show assertiveness in stopping the campaign for the third presidential term from his supporters. Moreover, Usep added, Jokowi still has the desire to lead again if a loophole in the constitution arises. “They have a plethora of interests they intend to preserve, such as the construction of the new capital city and political relations,” he said.
Andalas University director of Constitutional Study, Feri Amsari, viewed that it would be impossible that the campaign to extend the presidential term exclusively comes of Jokowi’s volunteers and his environment. Amsari believes that the public discourse, to this day, persists because Jokowi wants his term to be extended. “The President should not let his supporters continue to argue on something that is a violation of the constitution,” he explained. “Why is the issue remain? Because the President himself allegedly wants it and is managing it.”
IMAM HAMDI | KORAN TEMPO
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
