President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday (27/8), praised the DPR's quick steps in responding to the people's voice regarding the cancellation of the revision of the Pilkada Law. “I appreciate the DPR's quick steps in responding to the developing situation, a quick response is a good thing, very good,” said Jokowi.
Thus, the requirements for regional head nominations for the 2024 Pilkada still follow the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK).
On that occasion, Jokowi hoped that similar steps could be taken by the DPR to complete various other regulations that he considered urgent to be passed. “For example, the Asset Confiscation Bill which is also very important for eradicating corruption in our country, can also be completed immediately by the DPR,” he explained.
In addition, Jokowi appreciated the demonstrations rejecting the ratification of the revised Pilkada Law that occurred in several regions. According to him, conveying aspirations and opinions is a very good part of democracy.
“And I ask that the delivery of aspirations be carried out in an orderly and peaceful manner so as not to cause harm. Not to disrupt the activities of other residents. And yesterday there was a demonstration, for the demonstrators who are still being held I hope they can also be released soon,” he added.
Political observer from Al-Azhar University Indonesia, Ujang Komaruddin said Jokowi's statement regarding this issue was only to cool the atmosphere due to the people's anger. According to him, the Pilkada Bill that was rushed by the DPR previously had the potential to annul the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the requirements for regional head nominations. This could make Jokowi's youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, who is not yet 30 years old, run in the upcoming Pilkada contest.
“The public understands that the revision of the regional election law is aimed at Jokowi who wants to force his son, Kaesang, to be able to run as a gubernatorial candidate or vice gubernatorial candidate, so that protests occur everywhere. Of course, as the president, saying that is permissible and legitimate, but the public has noted that the revision of the regional election law is a robbery against the constitution, a robbery against the Constitutional Court as well, and it was opposed by the people so it was canceled,” said Ujang.
Ujang believes that Jokowi wants to build a political dynasty before he steps down in October. The former governor of DKI Jakarta, according to him, feels that he can manipulate the rules so that his youngest son can run, because this method was successful for his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. However, Ujang said, this time the public has been made fed up.
“Because of the public's strong, very loud rejection of Jokowi's political dynasty and Jokowi felt that Gibran passed, Bobby passed, then Kaesang was forced by the public not to pass, then there Mr. Jokowi certainly realized that he could not force his will even though he had the authority as president and he was aware that he would be facing the people,” he said.
Regarding Jokowi's statement that mentioned the Asset Confiscation Bill, according to him it was only a sweetener. Because, if there was indeed political will from the government all this time, the bill should have been passed before Jokowi stepped down from his position as head of state.
“Why can Jokowi push for political intervention, meddling in politics from the start, but why is the matter of the asset confiscation law not executed? In fact, if the government wanted, if Jokowi wanted, the DPR would have participated a long time ago. So I see a paradox in Jokowi's statement, on the one hand his statement is considered positive, on the other hand Jokowi seems to be pushing, even though he is not pushing either,” he said.
“If we push for the asset confiscation law to be passed, it could have been passed a long time ago, but in fact it was not. So I see what Mr. Jokowi did as having the right to say that, but the public sees that his statement was considered not serious because they only considered it to be positive because his term of office will end,” concluded Ujang. (you)
