M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – Expert staff at the Presidential Staff Office, Ali Mochtar Ngabalin, responded to the students' plan to stage a demonstration if President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo does not issue a clear statement that rejects the postponement of the 2024 general elections and the extension of the presidential office term.
According to Ngabalin, the students' threat does not make sense because the President has approved the election to be held on February 14, 2022. Thus, he opined that it is enough to answer that Jokowi does not intend to serve more than two terms.
"Aren't they following the update?" said Ngabalin to Tempo on Tuesday, April 5.
In addition, he said the state head had repeatedly emphasized that he would comply with the constitution. He thus asked students not to carelessly make such a threat.
"It's not good, it's not good for the students' character and basic principles if they make a threat, let alone to the Head of State," Ngabalin added.
Previously reported, the student alliance from various organizations staged a rally on Friday, April 1, against the extension of the president's term of office and the postponement of the election. They demanded that President Jokowi take a stand on the issue within two days. Otherwise, they threatened to hold a mass demonstration soon.