Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the 2023 National Coordination Meeting of Election Organizers, Puri Agung Ballroom, Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel, Jakarta, November 8, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good Morning,
May Prosperity be upon us all,
Shalom,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Cabinet Ministers, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Kapolri);
Distinguished Chairperson of the Honorary Council of Election Organizers (DKPP) Mr Heddy Lugito and all members of the DKPP;
Distinguished Chairperson of the General Election Commission (KPU) Mr Hasyim Asy’ari and all Commissioners of the KPU;
Distinguished Chairperson of the General Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) Mr Rahmat Bagja and all members of the Bawaslu;
Ad Interim Governor of Jakarta, Chairpersons and Leaders of Political Parties, Chancellors of Universities, Election Activists, Chairpersons of Regional Election Commissions, Chairpersons of Regional Election Supervisory Agencies, and Supervisors from the DKPP from all Provinces;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me express my gratitude to all election organizers, the DKPP, the Bawaslu, and the KPU, for doing your best to organize the 2024 Elections.

The 2024 elections would be the largest democratic event in our country, involving approximately 840,000 polling stations (TPS) from Aceh to Papua, in all provinces, regencies, and cities. This is a big democratic event, with 840,000 polling stations. Let me reiterate that there were some challenges in organizing the elections, including in maintaining accountability and integrity of the elections, as well as challenges in distribution and security measures. We must also maintain a fair and peaceful competition, without any hoax and hate speech, so that the competition will bring solutions to the problems of our nation. The process should be legitimate and trustworthy.

I have spoken with the Chairman of the DKPP regarding the duties to oversight the KPU and the Bawaslu, assisted by the regional supervisor team. The supervisors must have the courage to maintain control and oversight, and overcome problems. Let me reiterate that it is a very important and very democratic election.

Some people say that our elections are easy to be intervened. I do not agree. At every polling station, there were witnesses from all parties. There are also apparatus in every polling station. This election is very open, and can be monitored by anyone, including the public and the media. No one should try to intervene because it is clearly very, very difficult, because at the polling station there are many witnesses from political parties.

To that end, I remind all of you to prepare everything in detail, and to carry out oversight on the ground. Use the latest technology because the budget for the DKPP has increased by 200 percent. Carry out innovations, and listen to input from the people, so that we can keep the conducive political situation, and the situation remains safe and peaceful.

Several days ago I invited presidential candidates to have lunch together to show that in democracy, rivalry and competition are something normal. Political differences and political preferences are also normal. We must avoid a conflict at grassroots level when the political elites have been reconciled with each other. We have to maintain the conducive situation.

We must remember that solidarity and unity of the nation must not be sacrificed. We must maintain national security and stability. I fervently believe that democracy in Indonesia is getting better, and people are also getting wiser in their choices. Society has become more mature in its behavior because elections are festivities for the people. The people should be happy, the people should be cheerful, without any fear.

To that end, we must take all necessary measures to achieve our goal, and to ensure that the elections become a consolidation process that produces ideas, practical ideas, and solutions for the advancement of our state and nation.

That concludes my remarks. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning I officially open the 2023 Coordination Meeting of the Election Organizers.

I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(RI/MMB)