The Issue of the Position of the President for 3 Periods, Fadjroel: Jokowi is like Pandito Ratu

Presidential Spokesman Fadjroel Rachman said that until now President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has not spoken about the possibility of the people and political parties agreeing to extend the term of office of the President. “He (Jokowi) has never made a statement about that statement either,” said Fadjroel in a virtual discussion, Saturday (11/9).

According to this former 1998 activist, President Jokowi has firmly rejected the extension of the term of office of the head of state. He stated this on February 12, 2019 and March 15, 2021.

“He (Jokowi, ed) spoke to me with no intention or interest in becoming president for three terms. That’s what we have to keep together. So that’s a political stance like Pandito Ratu (a leader who doesn’t mencle),” he said.

In fact, Fadjroel emphasized that in a meeting with the general chairmen of the political parties supporting the government, there was no discussion on the amendment to the 1945 Constitution to increase the term of office of the head of state.

“Because what is being discussed is progress updates on handling Covid-19, national macroeconomic developments, economic strategies, then regional governance and new national capitals. It doesn’t talk about the amendment at all,” he said.

Previously, Deputy Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Benny K Harman, suspected that the joining of PAN to the government coalition was for the agenda of strengthening support for the proposed amendment to the 1945 Constitution. This member of Commission III of the DPR is concerned that the amendment agenda will then expand to a change or extension of the president’s term of office.

As for the joining of PAN, Jokowi’s coalition now controls 471 of the 575 seats or 81.91 percent of the seats in the DPR. To propose and approve changes to the constitution in the MPR this figure is more than sufficient. Meanwhile, amendments to the 1945 Constitution can be carried out if proposed by at least one third of the 711 members of the MPR.