Jakarta, IO – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo refused to make further comment on yesterday’s decision by the Constitutional Court (MK) to amend the qualification of presidential and vice presidential candidate to participate to contest the 2024 elections.
He made the statement during an official working visit to Beijing, China. He asked the journalists to ask MK directly about the ruling, per Tempo, Tuesday (17/10).
“(I’m afriad) it could be misinterpreted, as if I am interfering with judiciary,” said Jokowi. “Let the legal experts assess it.”
After rejecting a petition from Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) that the age limit threshold be lowered from 40 to 35, MK approved another request by Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta (UNS) student that the minimum age limit remains at 40 according to Article 169(q) of Law 7/2017 on General Elections.
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Constitutional law expert Bivitri Susanti criticized the decision. She considered that the decision reeked political intervention from President Jokowi in a bid to establish a “political dynasty” in contravention of the Reformasi spirit.
This was echoed by Al Azhar University political observer Ujang Komarudin. He said there was a structured, systematic and massive design by certain actors in the court to pave way for certain candidate. Jokowi’s eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka is rumored to be running as a vice presidential candidate. “That’s a terrible democratic tragedy, it looks like MK has succumbed (to political pressure),” blasted Ujang. (un)