President Jokowi Tells TNI, Police to Maintain Security after Elections

President Joko Widodo, Vice Presiden Jusuf Kalla, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung enter the Plenary Cabinet Meeting room, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Tuesday (23/4). (Photo: Jay/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has instructed several ministers of the Cabinet, Heads of Institutions, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), Chief of Indonesian National Police (POLRI), and Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) to ensure security and order in the wake of simultaneous general elections on 17 April.

“We need to keep the situation in control,” President Jokowi said in his directive at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Tuesday (23/4).

The President also stressed that even though it is normal for a ‘democratic fiesta’ to have small ripples, security and order must always be maintained.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto said that dissatisfaction regarding the elections needs to be channeled within legal corridor. He also reminded the public to abide by laws and regulations related to the elections.

“If some people want to break the law and disturb public order and national security, they will have to deal with law enforcement: police officers, the TNI, and so on. It’s something very clear,” Wiranto said.

Regarding accusations of fraud in the elections, Wiranto said that if there were such problems, including dissatisfaction, he reminded the public to refer to the laws and solve the problems through the Constitutional Court. “I believe that everything is well maintained,” Wiranto said.

He also asserted that the laws are the nation’s collective agreement and failure to uphold it will create uncertainty. (UN/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : M. Ersan Pamungkas