Penajam Paser Utara (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian has emphasized that acting regional heads must resign from their positions if they intend to participate in the regional elections (pilkada) scheduled for November 27, 2024.
“Acting regional heads must resign five months before the pilkada takes place, if they wish to participate,” asserted Tito Karnavian during a coordination meeting via video conference (zoom meeting) on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
The video conference coordination meeting was held with acting regional heads from across Indonesia, including Acting Regent Makmur Marbun of North Paser Penanam in East Kalimantan Province.
Minister of Home Affairs clarified that appointed regional heads by the central government to fill vacancies in regional leadership positions are not to exploit their positions for practical politics.
“All acting regional heads must remain neutral in the implementation of the pilkada,” he stressed.
The neutrality of acting regional heads in the pilkada is regulated by Law Number 10 of 2016, which is the second amendment to Law Number 1 of 2014 concerning the election of Governors, Regents, Mayors, enacted on July 1, 2016.
In article 7 paragraph (2) letter q, gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial candidates, regental and vice-regental candidates, as well as mayoral and vice-mayoral candidates must meet certain requirements.
These requirements are outlined in paragraph (1). According to the Minister of Home Affairs, one of the requirements listed under letter q is not being in the capacity of acting governor, acting regent, or acting mayor.
He further explained that these regulations aim to prevent acting governors, acting regents, and acting mayors from resigning to run for governor, vice-governor, regent, vice-regent, mayor, or vice-mayor positions.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) convened a working meeting to optimize the performance of acting governors, acting regents, and acting mayors, concerning strategic issues related to the implementation of the pilkada, as well as the governance of regional administration.
“Acting regional heads face sanctions if they choose to participate in the simultaneous regional elections,” stated Tito Karnavian.
