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PDIP: Election Law Intervention Could Drag Democracy Backward

From Tempo · (13m ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto urged the government not to interfere in the ongoing election bill deliberations in the DPR.
  • He stressed that legislative processes must be independent to uphold the principle of popular sovereignty in democracy.
  • Kristiyanto warned that government intervention could lead to a regression of democracy, citing the pressures experienced during the 2024 elections.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has voiced strong concerns regarding potential government interference in the drafting of the Election Law. Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto emphasized that the legislative process must remain independent, asserting that sovereignty ultimately rests with the people. He cautioned against any attempts to usurp this power, whether through non-independent election organizers or the misuse of law for political leverage.

In the reform era, sovereignty resides with the people. This should not be taken over. Neither through election organizers that are not independent nor through laws that are misused for hostage politics.

— Hasto KristiyantoExplaining the importance of an independent legislative process for the Election Law.

Kristiyanto's remarks, made during a May Day commemoration, highlight a deep-seated concern within PDIP about maintaining democratic integrity. He specifically warned that allowing power to exert pressure, as he claims was evident in the 2024 elections, could push Indonesia backward. This regression, he fears, could mirror the Orde Baru era, where elections were mere formalities devoid of genuine competition, with outcomes dictated by those in power.

Don't let there be power pressures as happened in the 2024 elections. When that happens, we regress.

— Hasto KristiyantoWarning against repeating past electoral pressures that could undermine democracy.

This stance from PDIP, a major political force, underscores the ongoing debate about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, and the role of the judiciary in electoral processes. While the government, through Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, and Immigration Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated they are awaiting the draft from the DPR, the underlying tension remains. The call for an independent legislative process is crucial for ensuring that future elections reflect the genuine will of the Indonesian people, rather than the machinations of political power. This is a uniquely Indonesian concern, where the legacy of authoritarian rule looms large, making the safeguarding of democratic processes a paramount national priority.

Let the people decide. Every political party must also improve to provide the best performance among the people.

— Hasto KristiyantoStressing the importance of public choice and party performance in a healthy democracy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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