Gov’t Committed to Holding Safe, Peaceful, Democratic Regional Elections

President Jokowi and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin pose for a group photo at the Inauguration of Hanura Party Central Board (DPP) for the 2019-2024 period, in Jakarta, Friday (24/1). (Photo by: PR / Oji

This year’s simultaneous regional elections is scheduled to be held across 270 regions, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“Let us run these elections safely, peacefully, democratically and in a dignified manneter. We should avoid ‘horizontal conflicts’ or those related to SARA (ethnicity, religion, and race),” President Jokowi said during the Inauguration of Hanura Party Central Board (DPP) for the 2019-2024 period, in Jakarta, Friday (24/1).

The President went on to say that the regional elections should be free of hoaxes and hateful incidents such as spread slander and blasphemies. “We need a positive situation, including political stability and security in terms of developing our beloved country,” the President said.

To date, President Jokowi continued, the Government still has a number of major projects and agendas that should be completed quickly.

The President also said the Government has submitted an Omnibus Law on taxation to the House of Representatives (DPR), adding that Omnibus Law on Job Creation will be submitted by next week.

“This Omnibus Law is expected to make us more flexible and competent to compete with other countries today and in the future,” the President said, adding that a country that moves quickly will defeat a slow one.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also mentioned the new capital city relocation in Kalimantan island.

“I would like to remind you that the Government has decided to relocate the capital not only to move the locations, the palace, or ministry buildings. But, we want to “move” our work culture,” the President said.

According to the President, the Government wants to establish a system that can keep pace with the changing times.

“We want to build a work culture and a good work system. So, the most important thing that we will build the system, then followed by the people,” said the President, adding that this is a big job to do and the Government will make Indonesia like the United States (in terms of capital relocation).

“The US has New York and Washington DC, while Australia has Sydney and Canberra. Indonesia has Jakarta and a new capital city,” the President added.

President Jokowi further said that the new capital will be a green and smart city due to a new city system with zero emissions, adding that electric and autonomous vehicles will be used for public transportation or personal vehicles.

At the end of his remarks, the President said that the key to complete all the big jobs that country is facing is collaboration and synergy.

“This work is not only the responsibility of the President, Vice President or Ministers, but all parties, including the legislative, the judiciary, regional governments, governors, regents, mayors to village heads, as well as all political parties in the country,” President Jokowi said. (TGH / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas