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December 18, 2024 | 03:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A researcher in the political field at The Indonesian Institute (TII), Felia Primaresti, criticized the idea of returning the regional head election system from direct to indirect through the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). Because, she said, eliminating direct regional elections would weaken democracy at the local level.
"Direct regional elections give people the full right to choose their best leader according to them, which ultimately strengthens the principle of democracy and accountability," Felia stated in a written statement on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
According to Felia, regional elections through DPRD will reduce political costs. However, this must be paid dearly with the loss of public participation and weakened accountability of the elected regional heads.
In addition, she mentioned that the election by DPRD has the potential to eliminate the principle of checks and balances in regional governance. That risk might occur because the DPRD could choose a regional head that aligns with their interests.
"We should not let DPRD choose a regional head merely safe for their own interests, which kills public participation that should be at the core of local democracy," she said.
KPU Commissioner for Technical Affairs and Election Conduct, Idham Holik, also requested that direct regional elections be maintained. Because, Idham said, the spirit carried in direct regional elections is to strengthen the people's sovereignty.
"Indonesia has achieved extraordinary success in conducting direct regional elections, and it should rightfully be preserved," said Idham to Tempo via a phone call, Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Idham acknowledged the opinion that direct elections are not efficient. He mentioned the technical conduct of direct regional elections is continuously improved from period to period. However, he said, as one of the largest democracies with wide-spread archipelagic regions, conducting direct regional elections is an achievement.
The regional election system and political costs have again become the focus when President Prabowo Subianto proposed a change in the regional election mechanism, from direct to indirect through DPRD elections.
The proposal was disclosed by Prabowo during a speech at the Golkar Party anniversary celebration at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor, West Java, on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The event was attended by the chairpersons of political parties supporting Prabowo's government.
"I see our neighboring countries are efficient. Malaysia, Singapore, India, once elect the DPRD members, once elected, well the DPRD will elect the governors, elect the regents," said Prabowo.
NANDITO PUTRA | AMIRULLAH
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