The Constitutional Court's decision is final and binding. We must obey it. Disobeying the decision is dangerousJakarta (ANTARA) - Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party urged the General Elections Commission’s (KPU’s) regional offices to reject regional head candidates, with a history of illicit drug abuse, as mandated by the Constitutional Court's (MK's) decision.
"The Constitutional Court's decision is final and binding. We must obey it. Disobeying the decision is dangerous," Gerindra spokesman Habiburokhman informed journalists in Jakarta on Thursday.
To this end, the KPU regional offices should not allow any regional head candidates, with a history of misuse and trade of illicit drugs, since the Constitutional Court had ruled out their candidacy, he explained.
Gerinda remain consistent in its approach to respect and obey the decision taken by MK that has ruled out the candidacy of ex-drug users, Habiburokhman emphasized.
In its place, this Prabowo Subianto-led party expects all regional head candidates contesting in the 2020 regional elections, scheduled on Dec 9, to possess the required capacity, integrity, and accessibility, he affirmed.
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have got siphoned into a vicious circle.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers still view Indonesia as their potential market due to its large population and millions of drug users. The drug trade in Indonesia is valued at almost Rp66 trillion.
On some occasions, politicians have been found to use drugs. In April 2018, for instance, Arbab Pabroeka, a former legislator, was arrested for a drug-related offence.
In August 2018, Ibrahim Hasan, alias Ibrahim Hongkong, was also apprehended over his purported involvement in transnational drug trafficking activities.
Owing to this case, Ibrahim was sacked from the membership of the National Democrat Party (Nasdem), which had paved the way for his political career until he was elected as a member of Langkat District's legislative body.
A report from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) revealed that 50 drug use-related deaths occur daily in Indonesia. However, the fatality count has yet to deter people from consuming drugs.
Related news: 100 drug offenders awarded death penalty in 2020 Related news: Central Sulawesi: Two held for drug trafficking facing death penalty
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Translator: Zuhdiar L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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