Observer: More Ban Could Grow #2019GantiPresiden to be Larger

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A political observer in Saiful Mujani Research & Consulting (SMRC), Djayadi Hanan, estimated the attempt on banning #2019GantiPresiden (2019 change the president) movement might fuel the movement up to become larger.

“It will always become public talks, especially on social media,” said Djayadi via a phone call today, August 29.

According to Djayadi, the government and certain parties did not have to prohibit the event as long as it do not violate the law because the movement is a public expression in politics. If the act went rebellious or contained hate speech, he added, it could be proven through legal proceedings.

Djayadi said that if the group grew larger, it would certainly threaten Joko Widodo’s parties. However, according to him, Jokowi’s supporting parties was overly sensitive for banning the #2019GantiPresiden movement.

“There is nothing to be worried if Jokowi and his supporters are solid,” he added.

Djayadi further said that such a movement should be responded by holding more solid declarations. “Let the public evaluate which one is good and [which one is] bad,” he said.

As reported earlier, the #2019GantiPresiden declaration was canceled in several regions because of the refusal made by the opposite community. The recent case occurred in Sultan Syarif Kasim II airport where its activist Neno Warisman blocked from attending the event and urged to fly back to Jakarta merely to maintain the conducive situation.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ