REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SOLO -- Chairman of the Suluh Kebangsaan Movement Mahfud MD emphasized that it is impossible for Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (BTP) "Ahok" to replace vice presidential candidate number 01 KH Ma'ruf Amin in the 2019 Presidential Election. Mahfud reminded that replacing presidential candidates or representatives could be implicated to a fine of Rp50 billion.

"It is all nonsense. Technically in the law it is mentioned that 60 days before the voting is prohibited to replace candidates and currently there are only 59 days left," he said at the Series VI National Dialogue with the theme "Caring for Harmony and Unity" held at the Station Solo Balapan on Wednesday (Feb 20).

Mahfud explained Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections which prohibits candidates from resigning. Those who did it could be sentenced to five years in prison or a fine of Rp50 billion.

"Likewise for political parties that revoke their support, the head of political parties can be sentenced to six years and fined Rp100 billion," said Mahfud who is also former Constitutional Court chief justice.

According to Mahfud, Ahok would not meet the requirement to replace presidential or vice presidential candidates. The figure should have never been sentenced to imprisonment or subject to threats of imprisonment of five years or more, he explained.

"Looking at this requirement, it is clear that BTP or Ahok cannot possibly replace vice presidential candidate Ma'ruf Amin," he said.

He requested that the public to not easily believe in issues that could potentially divide national unity.

Besides Mahfud MD, several figures were also present and were speakers at the National Dialogue, including Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo, eldest daughter of Gusdur, Alissa Wahid, and a number of religious leaders in Solo.

On this occasion, Ganjar requested that the community want to take care of sanity in Indonesia. "It feels uncomfortable (to hear some statements) ahead of political contestation as there is always the issue of 'what is your religion', 'are we a group or not', 'what is your tribe'," he said.

However, he appreciated the condition of Central Java, which until now was quite conducive even though it was approaching the 2019 Presidential election. "Tranquility of Central Java could be a social, political, cultural investment for Indonesia," he said.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika