House of Representatives Speaker Puan delivering her speech during the annual MPR plenary meeting at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta on Aug 16, 2024. - Antara
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 (Aug 16).
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).
ALSO READ: Jokowi touts Indonesia-centric development as he wraps up tenure
“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
ALSO READ: Megawati, Yudhoyono skip Jokowi’s final state address
Over 500 lawmakers and honored guests that included cabinet ministers, state body leaders and ambassadors attended the annual MPR plenary session to hear President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s final State of the Nation Address, before he steps down in October.
Defence 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. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
