President Jokowi Highlights Four Directives for Bawaslu

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Saturday (12/17) inaugurates the National Consolidation of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) at the Bidakara Hotel in Jakarta. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential President/Rusman)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Saturday (12/17) inaugurated the National Consolidation of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) at the Bidakara Hotel in Jakarta.

On that occasion, President Jokowi emphasized four directives, as follows:

First, the President told the Bawaslu to immediately map out any potential problems and various possible violations related to general elections.

“The issues must be mapped out. The Bawaslu at national level, provincial level, regional level, as well as at district-level must map out, so that they can be solved more easily. Pay attention to each probability problem case. Do not miss anything. Carry out careful planning, prepare preventive measures, mitigation measures, and anticipatory measures. Please, do not be easily complacent,” he said.

Second, the President told the Bawaslu to focus on preventive measures and to be active in preventing conflicts related to general elections.

Moreover, the Bawaslu is expected to not only focus on technical monitoring of general election process. It is also expected to have the Election Risk Index for the upcoming of the 2024 general elections.

The Head of State highlighted the risky issues during general elections are identity politics, SARA (ethnics, religions, races and inter-groups) politics as well as hoaxes. Thus, he reminded the Bawaslu to be more cautious.

“We should not be complacent about issues on identity politics. Give no room for these issues. Indeed, it is horrible. It could be opportunity for irresponsible parties to divide the unity of our country, our nation,” he stated.

On social media during general elections, President Jokowi also expressed his gratitude to Chairperson of the Bawaslu Rahmat Bagja for the planning to increase monitoring on social media during general elections considering it is usually used as platform to spread hoaxes.

Third, the President told the Bawaslu to carry out rapid work, to be responsive, as well as to go hand in hand with the laws. The Bawaslu is also expected to immediately process every complaint submitted, give strict punishment for violators, uphold integrity, as well as be fair and independent.

“The Bawaslu must be firm in enforcing the rules, must not hesitate. But do not let people think that the Bawaslu become an agency that makes people worry about election participants. What does it mean? The flurry of election must still be felt as part of our democracy. It is vital. Do not let the election buzz fade like nothing happens. Do not let it so.  In my opinion, the key is that the rules must be clear and disseminated,” he added.

Fourth, the President encouraged the Bawaslu to improve political education, political literacy for people and call on people to participate in general elections.

“Participation of people [during general elections] will facilitate the Bawaslu’s tasks. The participation is one of the important factors in overcoming money politics. We have to be aware considering that this case may happen. Money politics is a big question in every election. People must be involved to reduce the chances of money politics because if it is not stopped, it will damage our democracy, Indonesian democracy,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (AP/HD/LW)