Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) highlighted the negative side of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections (Pilkada) to democracy, driven by the never-ending ambition for power.
He narrated efforts to destroy PDI-P’s strongholds in the Pilkada, putting the blame on the ambition of the 7th President Joko Widodo in the 2024 Pilkada as the first dark side.
“Then the second is the ‘Parcok’ movement, the brown party, and the third is the Acting regional head,” Hasto said on Thursday, November 28, 2024, while respectively referring to the Police force and acting Governors, Regents and Mayors.
He cited the “crimes against democracy” in the gubernatorial, regental and mayoral elections in Banten province.
“In Banten, we see how the anomaly is so big. Because of the mobilization of state apparatus and state instruments,” he said.
Hasto also cited the provision of basic necessities in the form of rice in North Sumatra with the code Beras Nasional (BN). Even so, Hasto still highlighted the name of one of the candidates.
“The symbolization of rice for the poor with the code BN, Beras Nasional, as an acronym also BN from Bobby Nasution,” he said, referring to one of the candidates in the North Sumatra gubernatorial election.
He also mentioned efforts to destroy Central Java which has been referred to as the bull’s cage, the stromghold of PDI-P.
However, there has been no response from the parties mentioned.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said that the implementation of the simultaneous regional elections throughout Indonesia was safe and conducive. Sigit said that all parties should prioritize unity.
“From the results of joint monitoring through security posts, the situation in general is still relatively safe and under control,” Listyo said.
