UNS — Constitutional Law (HTN) Expert Faculty of law (FH) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus, shared her view on the issue to change the regulation on the Republic of Indonesia (RI) President into three periods.
In an interview with uns.ac.id, Friday (19/3/2021), Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus, stated that the change could be constitutional as long as it is based on people’s interests. President serving period is regulated in Article 7 1945 Constitution of RI (UUD 1945). “(The change) in President serving period from two to three periods is constitutional if it brings positive impacts for the Indonesian people. This follows the ‘salus populi suprema lex esto’ principle,” Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus said.
Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus, the Chief of Democracy and National Resilience Study Center (Pusdemtanas) LPPM UNS, reminded all related parties that in this issue, Indonesian people’s interests are the key. Changing President Serving Time will demand amendment of UUD 1945 by the MPR RI, and MPR RI as an institution representing people sovereignty should base its decision on the people. If the longer President serving time is approved by the people and will benefit the people, then such change should be taken.
She added that three serving times are not necessarily bad but could be a need. If it is proven as effective and efficient, such change could take place. She also mentioned the connection between President RI serving time with the political conditions in Indonesia. For her, this issue is typical to appear in the public because it strongly correlates with the political situation. “Thus, it is okay if it’s appeared. This issue is widely discussed,” she said.
She argues that on determining President serving times, ethics limitation is needed besides the constitutional limitation. If the constitution is amended, this change will become constitutional, but ethically, it might not be implemented.
Regarding Indirect Presidential Election
Dr. Sunny also shared her views regarding the indirect President election through MPR, which is discussed before the Presidential serving time issue appeared in public. This topic appeared after the meeting between the Chief of MPR RI, Bambang Soesatyo, with the President of PBNU, K.H Said Aqil Siroj, in 2019. She thinks that President and Vice-President must be elected democratically because the philosophy of democracy is all policies and decisions should come from the people, by the people, and for the people.
“In the modern era with all of its ease, indirect President election is not right. MPR is people’s sovereignty institution, but the people in this context should not be defined that way,” she concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
