Statement of GSBI: Oppose and Fight the Defiance of the Constitution and the Destruction of Democracy by President Joko Widodo
Statement of GSBI: The Center of Indonesian Labor Struggle Number: PS.00035/DPP.GSBI/JKT/VIII/2024 Oppose and Fight the Defiance of the C...
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Statement of GSBI:
The Center of Indonesian Labor Struggle
Number: PS.00035/DPP.GSBI/JKT/VIII/2024
Oppose and Fight
the Defiance of the Constitution and the Destruction of Democracy
by President Joko Widodo and the House of Representatives in Their Goal to Perpetuate Dynastic Political Power in 2024 Regional Elections
Guard the Decision of the Constitutional Court (MK)
Save Democracy and Constitution
Democratic Greetings!
The Indonesian President Jokowi had successfully passed his eldest son - Gibran Rakabuming Raka - as Vice President in the last 2024 national election by means of conspiring with his brother-in-law – Uncle Usman - who was Head of the Constitutional Court (MK) to issue Decision No. 90 allowing candidate less than 40 years old to run. President Jokowi controlled and won the national election in his favor by fraudulent, manipulative, and deceitful means through pork barrel politics and hostage politics, straddling the constitution and destroying democracy in a structured, systematic and massive manner. He forced the Indonesian people to accept the Court Decision claiming that it was in accordance with the rule of law, norms and ethics.
Today, he used a similar political maneuver to justify all means to ensure his youngest son - Kaesang Pangarep – could run in the upcoming provincial election. He conspired with the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM+) in the House of Parliaments to defy and liquidate the new decision of Constitutional Court (MK) No. 60 and No. 70 released last August 20, 2024. The House of Parliaments, however, decided to ignore and liquidate the Constitutional Court decision. In a quick and haphazard way, it called a meeting with the Working Committee to agree and propose to approve the draft of Revised Regional Elections Law into a law during the Plenary Meeting on August 22, 2024.
During the Plenary Meeting, representatives from 8 political parties namely Gerindra, Democrat, Golkar, PKS, NasDem, PAN, PKB, PPP approved the revision and only the Party of Indonesian Democratic Struggle (PDIP) rejected which annulled the Court's Decision. All of this efforts to perpetuate power and political hegemony in the process of 2024 elections is only to smooth the way for Jokowi’s youngest son - Kaesang Pangarep - to qualify as a candidate for Deputy Governor in Central Java. Under the current Regional Election Law, candidates should be at least 30 years old since his/her nomination but Kaesang is still in his late 29 years old.
The Constitutional Court emphasized that historically, systematically, in practice so far, and in comparison, with other elections, the age requirement for regional head candidacy is calculated at the point where the candidate pair register at the General Elections Commission (KPU). However, Jokowi and the House of Parliaments revised it by saying that candidates should be at least 30 years old during the inauguration. This means that this decision can roll out the red carpet for Jokowi's youngest son to run for Deputy Governor.
In addition to the age limit, the Constitutional Court (MK) also decided to change the threshold for regional head candidacy. Previously, the Law said that any candidate should have at least 25% of the vote acquisition of one or coalition of political parties or 20% of legislative seats from the previous legislative election of the provincial and regional legislative councils. But the Court decided it can be based on the acquisition of valid votes in the elections in the province/district/city based on the ratio of the number of voters in the Permanent Voters List (DPT), with a percentage equivalent to the percentage on individual candidacy.
The Constitutional Court Decision No. 60 and 70 clearly provide more opportunity for all political parties – whether with obtained seats or not in the House of Representatives – to compete in the upcoming regional election. This decision is countering Jokowi's dominance and monopoly within political power.
This situation is happening in the midst of tens of thousands of workers being laid off throughout 2024 due to worsening employment flexibility. It is a result of Jokowi regime's policy of Omnibus law on Job Creation which is fully supported by all political parties in House of Representatives causing the lives of people getting harder.The Domestic Workers Protection Bill continues to be stalled for 20 years with no clarity and it is a completely contrast to when the House of Parliaments approved the revision Regional Election Law.
This development of the situation and all policies of Jokowi are revealing his real nature as a puppet regime to the interests of US imperialism and its cronies as well as Chinese imperialism in which Jokowi has been closely aligned in the last 5 years. The falsity and depravity of Jokowi's governance is a reflection of the real and existing semi-colonial and semi-feudal system in Indonesia.
The Indonesian President Jokowi had successfully passed his eldest son - Gibran Rakabuming Raka - as Vice President in the last 2024 national election by means of conspiring with his brother-in-law – Uncle Usman - who was Head of the Constitutional Court (MK) to issue Decision No. 90 allowing candidate less than 40 years old to run. President Jokowi controlled and won the national election in his favor by fraudulent, manipulative, and deceitful means through pork barrel politics and hostage politics, straddling the constitution and destroying democracy in a structured, systematic and massive manner. He forced the Indonesian people to accept the Court Decision claiming that it was in accordance with the rule of law, norms and ethics.
Today, he used a similar political maneuver to justify all means to ensure his youngest son - Kaesang Pangarep – could run in the upcoming provincial election. He conspired with the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM+) in the House of Parliaments to defy and liquidate the new decision of Constitutional Court (MK) No. 60 and No. 70 released last August 20, 2024. The House of Parliaments, however, decided to ignore and liquidate the Constitutional Court decision. In a quick and haphazard way, it called a meeting with the Working Committee to agree and propose to approve the draft of Revised Regional Elections Law into a law during the Plenary Meeting on August 22, 2024.
During the Plenary Meeting, representatives from 8 political parties namely Gerindra, Democrat, Golkar, PKS, NasDem, PAN, PKB, PPP approved the revision and only the Party of Indonesian Democratic Struggle (PDIP) rejected which annulled the Court's Decision. All of this efforts to perpetuate power and political hegemony in the process of 2024 elections is only to smooth the way for Jokowi’s youngest son - Kaesang Pangarep - to qualify as a candidate for Deputy Governor in Central Java. Under the current Regional Election Law, candidates should be at least 30 years old since his/her nomination but Kaesang is still in his late 29 years old.
The Constitutional Court emphasized that historically, systematically, in practice so far, and in comparison, with other elections, the age requirement for regional head candidacy is calculated at the point where the candidate pair register at the General Elections Commission (KPU). However, Jokowi and the House of Parliaments revised it by saying that candidates should be at least 30 years old during the inauguration. This means that this decision can roll out the red carpet for Jokowi's youngest son to run for Deputy Governor.
In addition to the age limit, the Constitutional Court (MK) also decided to change the threshold for regional head candidacy. Previously, the Law said that any candidate should have at least 25% of the vote acquisition of one or coalition of political parties or 20% of legislative seats from the previous legislative election of the provincial and regional legislative councils. But the Court decided it can be based on the acquisition of valid votes in the elections in the province/district/city based on the ratio of the number of voters in the Permanent Voters List (DPT), with a percentage equivalent to the percentage on individual candidacy.
The Constitutional Court Decision No. 60 and 70 clearly provide more opportunity for all political parties – whether with obtained seats or not in the House of Representatives – to compete in the upcoming regional election. This decision is countering Jokowi's dominance and monopoly within political power.
This situation is happening in the midst of tens of thousands of workers being laid off throughout 2024 due to worsening employment flexibility. It is a result of Jokowi regime's policy of Omnibus law on Job Creation which is fully supported by all political parties in House of Representatives causing the lives of people getting harder.The Domestic Workers Protection Bill continues to be stalled for 20 years with no clarity and it is a completely contrast to when the House of Parliaments approved the revision Regional Election Law.
This development of the situation and all policies of Jokowi are revealing his real nature as a puppet regime to the interests of US imperialism and its cronies as well as Chinese imperialism in which Jokowi has been closely aligned in the last 5 years. The falsity and depravity of Jokowi's governance is a reflection of the real and existing semi-colonial and semi-feudal system in Indonesia.
Therefore, the defiance of the constitution and the destruction of democracy by President Jokowi and his supporting political parties, including all the policies that deprive the people of their rights, arbitrariness and uniformity must be opposed and ended. We must sound the alarm and warning bells louder to save the constitution, democracy and the fate of this country from the clutches of the puppet regime. We must really use this momentum to expose Jokowi regime and encourage the entire people's movement to advance their legitimate demands, in accordance with the interests of workers, peasants, indigenous peoples, women, youth students and other marginalized communities who can liquidate the domination of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucratic capitalists to create true democracy, not the engineered democracy of the bourgeoisie and the puppet regime.
On the basis of the current situation and the common interest of majority of people that have been robbed for the sake of perpetuating dynastic politics, Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia (GSBI) call to:
1. Reject and oppose the entire decision of the House of Parliament issued on August 22, 2024 which liquidates the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) Number 60 and 70.
On the basis of the current situation and the common interest of majority of people that have been robbed for the sake of perpetuating dynastic politics, Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia (GSBI) call to:
1. Reject and oppose the entire decision of the House of Parliament issued on August 22, 2024 which liquidates the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) Number 60 and 70.
2. The President of the Republic of Indonesia and the House of Parliament must stop their evil and haphazard scheme of discussing the Revision of the Regional Elections Law. Respect and implement the Decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) Number 60/PUU-XXII/2024 and Decision Number 70/PUU-XXII/2024, dated August 20, 2024. Likewise, the General Elections Commission (KPU) must follow up on Constitutional Court Decision Number 60/PUU-XXII/2024, and Decision Number 70/PUU-XXII/2024, dated August 20, 2024 in full and consistently.
3. Revoke the Omnibus Law on Job Creation Number 6 of 2023 and immediately pass the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT) into law.
4. Call on all GSBI’s leaders and members, workers and various community groups to take to the streets to hold massive demonstrations to guard the Constitutional Court's decision number 60 and 70, blocking the steps of the House of Parliament to pass the revised Regional Elections Law which will perpetuate dynastic politics, undermine democracy and defy the constitution, tackle people's rights and pave the way for Kaesang Pangarep to become a candidate for Deputy Governor.
Strengthen our coordinated ranks!
Unite with the broad masses for our action and win the demands of the people!
Long live the People's Struggle!
Long live the struggle of Indonesian workers!
Long live the struggle of Indonesian workers!
Jakarta, August 21, 2024
Dewan Pimpinan Pusat
Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia (DPP. GSBI)
Dewan Pimpinan Pusat
Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia (DPP. GSBI)
