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Former Constitutional Court Chief and current Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, has expressed strong opposition to the proposal of having regional heads chosen by the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD). Mahfud views this as a potential setback for Indonesian democracy. The proposal emerges as the Constitutional Court has decided to separate regional elections from national elections with a 2.5-year gap.
Mahfud MD, former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court and current Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, has expressed strong concerns about the proposal to allow the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) to choose regional leaders. Mahfud believes that this move could be a significant setback for Indonesian democracy.
The discussion about having DPRD choose regional heads emerges after the Constitutional Court's decision to separate regional elections from national elections, with a planned 2.5-year interval between them. Mahfud emphasized that the public does not support the idea of regional heads being chosen by DPRD, viewing it as contrary to democratic principles.
The potential shift from direct regional elections to having DPRD members choose regional leaders is seen as a controversial move that could undermine the democratic process. Mahfud's statement highlights the importance of maintaining public participation in the selection of regional leaders, a key aspect of Indonesia's democratic framework.