Indonesian Voters Getting Smarter, Wiser: President Jokowi

President Jokowi answers questions from journalists after inspecting the Asian Para Games national training center in Sukoharjo, Central Java, Saturday (15/9). (Photo by: BPMI).

Indonesians are becoming smarter and wiser in voting for their representatives for Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), House of Representatives (DPR) or Regional Representatives Council (DPD), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Saturday (15/9).

The President made the statement in response to the ruling made by the Supreme Court (MA) which revokes regulation of the General Election Commission (PKPU) on the ban for ex-graft convicts to run for legislative election. President Jokowi also said that he respects the ruling.

“People will vote for candidates based on their track records and characters. People are becoming smarter and wiser in electing their leaders,” the President said.

For the record, based on a judicial review, the Supreme Court on 13 September 2018 declared that the ban for former graft convicts, drug dealers, and perpetrators of child sexual abuse to become legislative candidates in the 2019 Election is unconstitutional and violates Law Number 7 of 2017 on General Election.

“The decision is under the court’s jurisdiction, so we must respect the ruling,” the President added.

The national legislative election is set be held on 17 April 2019, in which voters will simultaneously elect their representatives for Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), House of Representatives (DPR), and Regional Representatives Council (DPD).  (BPMI/EN) (RI/EP/Naster)