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Push for Jokowi’s term extension intensifies
The political maneuvering pushing for an extension of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s term beyond 2024 appears to be intensifying even after the controversial proposal was met with strong resistance from major political parties.
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Incumbent President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and First Lady Iriana cast their ballots at a polling station during the presidential and legislative elections in Jakarta on April 17, 2019. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he political maneuvering pushing for an extension of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s term beyond 2024 appears to be intensifying even after the controversial proposal was met with strong resistance from major political parties within the ruling coalition and the opposition.
Since mid-March, banners bearing the slogan, "The Hope of Indonesian People #2024StayLoyalWithJokowi”, have been visible across Palembang, South Sumatera, Jambi and South Lampung. The banners, which were put up by the volunteer group Koalisi Bersama Rakyat (With the People Coalition), were meant to create the impression that there was overwhelming grassroots support for Jokowi’s third term.
On Tuesday, Jokowi attended the national gathering of the Village Administration Association (Adepsi) at the Senayan sports center in Jakarta, during which thousands of village heads reportedly chanted their support for the extension of his term.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, a close ally of Jokowi believed to have played a central role in orchestrating the push to delay the 2024 general elections, delivered a keynote speech at the event.
‘People’s wish’
Adepsi executive board chairman Surta Wijaya said the association had been planning to declare its official support for Jokowi’s third term on Tuesday night but was prohibited from doing so by ministry representatives and the presidential security detail. “We will declare it after Idul Fitri,” Surta said on Thursday, adding that the group would install banners supporting an extension of Jokowi’s term across the country.
Surta’s claim, however, has been refuted by Arifin Abdul Majid, who claimed to have held the official leadership of Adepsi, according to tempo.co. He deplored Surta’s political statement, saying, “we don’t want to go into politics”.
