Do not add to national problems with the discourse that has the potential to violate the Constitution.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Islamic organization Muhammadiyah has urged political elites to stop the discourse on postponing the 2024 general elections and encouraged them to prioritize national interests over and above individual or group interests.

“Do not add to national problems with discourse that has the potential to violate the Constitution,” General Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board Abdul Mu'ti noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.

Mu'ti believes that these political elites should instead be aware of the people’s condition and feelings.

He advised political elites to not use the results of surveys as a reference. It is likely that the data collected from the surveys are weak and inaccurate, Mu'ti added.

"We’d better stop the discourse on postponing the general elections that may extend the term of office of the president, vice president, ministers, DPD (Regional Representatives Council), DPR (House of Representatives), and DPRD (Regional Legislative Councils) as well as other relevant posts,” he stated.

Some political parties that make up the Jokowi administration's coalition have thrown their weight behind the discourse on postponing the 2024 general elections.

Chairman of the People's Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan spoke of his party supporting the discourse to postpone the 2024 general elections.

"Considering various factors and inputs from the public and groups, PAN has decided to agree that the 2024 general elections be postponed," Hasan stated at the Parliament Complex, here on Friday.

The PAN chairman noted the pandemic had resulted in unstable economic conditions, such as the slow economic growth at around 3-3.5 percent that has forced people to struggle to recover from the impacts of the pandemic on the economy.

Related news: No country suspends elections for securing economic growth stability

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar voiced his suggestion that the 2024 general elections be postponed due to the sluggish economic conditions.

However, Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto has brushed aside a proposal for suspending general elections, as he believes that it lacks a strong legal basis.

"It also ignores the most fundamental aspect in politics that requires discipline and compliance with the Constitution," Kristiyanto noted in a written statement released in Jakarta on Thursday.

Related news: PAN supports discourse on postponing 2024 general elections

Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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