Coordinating Minister Denies People Power Rumor
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, accompanied by Chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) and Chairman of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), holds a press conference at his office in Jakarta, Thursday (14/3). Photo by: PR of Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto denied the rumor saying that there will be people power and chaos in the upcoming election.
“Based on the updated situation and intelligence report, the situation is under control. We hope that the situation always be under control until the election, Wiranto told the journalists on Thursday (14/3) after the Special Coordination Meeting between the Government, Election Organizers and Security Forces prior to the 2019 Election Public Campaign.
Wiranto added that there is nothing to worry about and no need to leave Indonesia prior to the election. He called on the people to cast their vote on the Election Day and choose President, Vice President and legislative members based on their own preferences.
“Dont be afraid to cast your vote. The security forces will maintain the security (in the election period), he said.
On that occasion, the Minister also said that the preparation for the upcoming election has run smoothly without any serious obstacle and some steps of the election process have been performed successfully.
He further called on the public to filter rumors circulated on social media nowadays. “Hoaxes and black campaign violate the law and the technology can trace the producer of the hoaxes, Wiranto said.
He went on to say that the public campaign period will be held from 24 March to 13 April 2019, during which the candidates of President, Vice President and legislative members will hold mass rallies involving many participants.
Wiranto said that the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) have organized the campaign zones for every candidate to prevent the potential conflict among the supporters.
However, there is still a possibility for conflict during public campaign period but the security forces, including the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), are ready to prevent such conflict.
In the meantime, the Minister invited all political parties, voters, political candidates and their supporters as well as the public to support the KPU and the Bawaslu to achieve a successful election. Their role is pivotal in preventing the conflict during the election period.
“We will make every effort to make sure that the next stage of the Election runs smoothly, Wiranto concluded. (Biro Humas Kemenko Polhukam/ES)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Mia Medyana
