Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani lamented the state of Indonesian democracy and underlined the importance of quality elections, while warning against distorted democratic processes at the annual People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) plenary session on Friday.
Indonesia is a country for everyone, not just for one person or group, she asserted.
Puan, a politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), highlighted people's power in a democratic country, saying that the people should prevail as victors in elections, while quoting the Latin phrase vox populi, vox dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God).
"Yet, democracy can also take the wrong path, one that doesn't uphold the people's sovereignty," Puan said in her speech.
"A statesman will think about his country's future, while a politician will think about the next election."
Over 500 lawmakers and honored guests that included cabinet ministers, state body leaders and ambassadors attended the annual MPR plenary session on Friday to hear President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's final State of the Nation Address, before he steps down in October.
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto will succeed Jokowi after winning February's presidential election. Former Surakarta mayor and Jokowi's eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka will also be sworn in as vice president.
Puan's party the PDI-P backed former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo in the February election. The party has yet to confirm its position with regard to Prabowo's upcoming administration.
Commenting on Jokowi's work in the past 10 years, Puan said the President had done much for the country and worked on many improvements for Indonesia and its democracy.
"Realizing true democracy is not an easy feat, and we cannot regress," Puan said.
"It's our collective responsibility, as the House, the government, judicial bodies, the Indonesian Military [TNI] and National Police [...] to deal with the people's interests so that they feel the state's presence," she continued.