Megawati criticizes regional elections 2024: democracy is now in danger of death

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Megawati Sukarnoputrigeneral chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), strongly criticized the holding of 2024. regional electionsclaiming that popular sovereignty is being manipulated for the sake of power.

She expressed deep concern about the future of Indonesian democracy. “Democracy is now under threat of death because of the power that justifies all means. This government knows how to use state resources and tools,” she said in a video statement on the night of Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

Megawati cited numerous reports from various regions, including Banten, Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra and North Sulawesi, highlighting abuses and abuses of power. In particular, she pointed to the mass deployment of regional officials in Central Java and the transfer of the police apparatus for political purposes.

“This can no longer be allowed, given that the Constitutional Court made an important decision that public officials who are not neutral can be prosecuted,” she emphasized.

She noted that she knows Central Java well, as she was elected three times as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the province. She said that Central Java is not only home to PDIP supporters, but also a stronghold of nationalist and patriotic ideals. Central Java is currently witnessing an alarming trend of abuse of power.

According to her, the energy of popular movements, sympathizers and combat cadres cannot be overcome if the elections are held honestly, fairly and fairly. But when everything can be mobilized by the authorities, there is suffocation, she said.

“What is happening now goes beyond decency, ethics, morality and conscience,” she said.

Megawati called on all PDIP supporters and members, as well as the entire Indonesian people, to stand up against injustice. She promised that PDIP will continue to fight for justice and resist the intimidation of the authorities.

“Regional elections should reflect the development of civilization, ethics, morality and conscience. “We continue our determined resistance in the legal corridor, although we know that laws are increasingly being adopted that are far from justice,” she said.

Megawati went on to outline five key appeals for holding regional meetings in 2024 election: to protect people’s voices; documentary intimidation and abuse, especially regarding monetary policy; to reveal the mobilization of social assistance; to document cases of obstruction and injustice, such as those in Banten; and mobilize people to speak out against injustice.

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