"Young people should not be apathetic. Like it or not, you will become the future leaders of this country,"
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A general election serves as a momentum for the people of Indonesia to prevent bad figures from governing the country, Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Coordinating Minister Mahfud MD stated.

"Remember, a general election is not held to search for perfect humans, as they are not in existence. Instead, an election is a momentum for us to prevent bad people from becoming our leaders," he remarked in Jakarta on Thursday.

The minister made the statement after delivering a scientific oration during the commemoration of the Anniversary of Pancasila University.

He expressed hope that the people of Indonesia would be able to identify and assess the advantages and disadvantages of each presidential and vice presidential candidate registered for the 2024 presidential election.

"Then, you can vote for your respective candidates of preference," he told the people.

Furthermore, he called on the young people of Indonesia to not be apathetic about the election while stressing on the need for youths to exercise their voting rights.

The minister expected the country's youths to actively participate in the practices of democracy by voicing their aspirations and voting for their preferred presidential and vice presidential candidates.

People from younger generations will eventually replace those from older generations in directing Indonesia, he noted.

"Young people should not be apathetic. Like it or not, you will become the future leaders of this country," he told Indonesia's younger generation.

The General Election Commission (KPU) has received the registration documents of three pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates, namely Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar, Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD, and Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The Baswedan-Iskandar pair has the backing of the National Democratic (NasDem) Party, National Awakening Party (PKB), Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and Ummat Party.

Meanwhile, the Pranowo-Mahfud pair has the support of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), United Development Party (PPP), Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo), and People's Conscience Party (Hanura).

Subianto and Raka have the support of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, Party of Functional Groups (Golkar), National Mandate Party (PAN), Democratic Party, Crescent Star Party (PBB), Indonesian People's Wave (Gelora) Party, Garuda Party, Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), and Just and Prosperous People's Party (PRIMA).

The KPU has determined that the campaign period for the upcoming elections will start on November 28 and end on February 10 next year, while the elections will take place on February 14, 2024.

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Translator: Sanya D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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