World

MPR Chairman: Postponement of Elections Only in Case of Force Majeure

March 18, 2023 haayh 6 Views 0 Comments Bambang Soesatyo, Case, Chairman, Chairman of the MPR, election postponement, elections, Force, Majeure, MPR, Postponement

Suara.com – Chairman of the Indonesian MPR Bambang Soesatyo said that the discourse on postponing the election was still premature to be discussed at this time. Bamsoet emphasized that the MPR RI will comply with the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia so that elections are held as scheduled every five years, namely in 2024.

“To fuss over the discourse on postponing the election at this time is too premature, because the MPR RI itself will still be based on constitutional provisions and applicable laws,” said Bamsoet during a press gathering event for the Coordinating Parliamentary Journalists in Bandung, West Java, according to a statement received in Jakarta , Saturday (18/3/2023).

He said that postponing the election could only be done if there was a force majeure situation as stipulated in the constitution or law.

“If a force majeure occurs in the form of riots, security disturbances, natural disasters, or other disturbances that prevent part or all of the stages of the election from being held,” he said.

Also Read: Discuss Joko Widodo and Megawati’s 2024 election at the Merdeka Palace

Bamsoet then alluded to the discourse on postponing the elections which arose after the Central Jakarta District Court (PN) issued an order ordering the Indonesian KPU to postpone the holding of the 2024 elections.

He said that currently there is no regulation related to postponement of elections because the preparation of the 4th amendment to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia only regulates the periodization of the term of office for the president/vice president, DPR/DPD/MPR and DPRD at the provincial, city/regency levels.

“Because in the constitution there is only a regulation on the term of office for the president and other positions that originate from the elections ending on October 20 every five years,” he said.

For this reason, he questioned what about the extension of the term of office for the president, vice president, as well as members of the DPR, DPD, MPR and DPRD at the provincial, city/regency levels which expire in 2024 if the election postponement occurs.

“Are they permanent or will they be replaced by executors or temporary officials? Regional heads obviously have Plt. But what about the president, vice president, members of the DPR, MPR, DPD and DPRD? Are they called Plt presidents, Plt vice presidents, Plt members of the DPR and so on,” he said.

Also Read: Police Fail Departure of 10 Illegal PMI ‘Tour and Travel’ Mode, Bamsoet Gives Appreciation

According to him, it is necessary to think about new legal regulations regarding the terms of office for the president, vice president, members of the DPR, DPD, MPR and DPRD at the provincial, city/regency levels if there is a postponement of the election due to a force majeure situation.

This is because, he added, the extension or addition of the term of office for the president, vice president, members of the DPR, MPR, DPD and DPRD have not been included in the constitution or legislation.

“Just imagine if COVID-19 just started today, is it possible to hold elections in 2024? Because the pandemic disaster is not only on a national scale, but also on an international scale,” he said.

He added that the discourse regarding new legal regulations concerning the terms of office for the president and vice president, members of the DPR, DPD, MPR and DPRD if the postponement of elections occurs due to a force majeure situation can be developed in an anticipatory context.

“It is interesting to be studied by the nation’s stakeholders. We need to think about and arrange everything to anticipate everything that might happen,” said Bamsoet. [Antara]