Rejecting Demonstration Provocations, Government Commits to Holding Regional Elections in Accordance with the Constitution

By: Andhika Poernomo

The government is very strongly committed to being able to continue holding the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) in accordance with the implementation of the constitution in the country to support democratic life in the Republic of Indonesia (RI). Therefore, the public should not fall into provocation and propaganda with invitations and calls to carry out mass actions or demonstrations. Moreover, provocations and calls to call for mass action or demonstrations have the potential to give rise to anarchism, violence and even regional security instability in society. Apart from that, often the invitation to demonstrate is just an irresponsible effort of a few groups only for the sake of their group’s interests. Moreover, in fact the government remains strongly committed to holding regional elections in accordance with the applicable constitution to support democratization in Indonesia. Professor of Constitutional Law at Pakuan University, Prof. Dr. Andi Asrun asked all parties not to spread provocations to the public and not to easily believe them if, for example, they received a chain message that seemed to contain a provocative tone, especially to take part in a demonstration or demonstration. The reason is, recently chain messages have often appeared on various social media which usually even use the names of several figures. Even though it is just an attempt at political provocation from completely irresponsible parties. For your information, Indonesia is holding simultaneous regional elections for the first time on November 27 2024. For this reason, all elements and various parties should work together to help make this event a success. The ownership of a Regional Head itself is a historic moment and event for the Republic of Indonesia, so it is fitting that all parties give their full support to the government’s efforts and strong commitment to continue to uphold the constitution and various principles of democracy. The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia (Wapres RI), KH Ma’ruf Amin, emphasized that the government is indeed upholding the constitution in implementing the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections, by continuing to maintain various principles for democracy. He then advised all parties to work together to prevent each other and take firm action if there are fraudulent practices and continue to prioritize stability and security. One way to prioritize stability and security is of course not to easily spread provocation or propaganda in any form, especially for example by spreading news or issues whose source may not necessarily be true or clear. Don’t let the public be easily provoked by calls for action or demonstrations and demonstrations, where it could be that all of these things have been orchestrated by certain irresponsible parties just for the sake of themselves and their groups. Thus, if all elements are able to work together to maintain the spirit of the constitution, uphold the 2024 regional elections which are very democratic and also continue to prioritize stability and security, then it is not impossible to produce regional heads who have high integrity. Not only that, but regional heads who emerge from a peaceful, constitutional and democratic Pilkada will clearly be able to lead the Indonesian nation and its region in a much better direction in the future. The 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections which run smoothly with stable security will be able to produce regional leaders who are trustworthy and qualified so that they can build a solid foundation for a better and more advanced future for Indonesia. The community must be an element that is able to play an active role in the success of holding a regional level democratic party. Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) gave his official response regarding the Legislative Body of the People’s Representative Council (Baleg DPR) which revised the Regional Election Law (RUU) following the Constitutional Court (MK) Decision. The Head of State said that all of these things were part of the constitutional process. Therefore, the government really respects the authority and decisions of each state institution. It is very important for all parties to be able to appreciate the processes that take place in each state institution to ensure that policies are produced in accordance with democratic principles and the constitution. Apart from fully respecting the decision of the highest institution, President Joko Widodo also said that the processes and dynamics currently taking place are indeed a real representation of the democratic system in Indonesia. All these facts must not be ignored and must be understood as part of democracy which must continue to grow and develop in the political transition in the country. Therefore, don’t let the public easily fall into provocations calling for mass action and demonstrations whose issues are completely unclear, especially as they are prone to being manipulated and could only be in the interests of irresponsible groups. Moreover, the government has a very strong commitment to being able to hold the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections peacefully and continuing to uphold the implementation of the constitution to realize democratization in Indonesia. *) Political Science Student, Semarang State University