AHY Reminds That Power Has Limits, State Facilities Not for Practical Politics
Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has reminded all parties not to treat power as something that can be held without limits. According to him, power is a mandate from the people that has a time limit and must be exercised with accountability to the people’s will.
“Power does not belong to anyone forever; power is a trust from the people that has a time limit,” AHY said in a speech at the 25th anniversary of the Democratic Party on Saturday (5/9).
For this reason, AHY stressed that the political rights of the public must not be restricted. He called for the right of every citizen to vote and to stand for election to remain guaranteed as an important part of democratic life. “Do not obstruct the people’s right to vote and to be elected,” he asserted.
In addition, AHY argued that democracy should not be narrowed merely to the holding of general elections. Democracy, he said, is also supported by accountable government, laws trusted by the public, freedom of the press and civil society, and healthy checks and balances. “Democracy must not stop at the procedures and holding of elections,” AHY said.
According to him, a healthy democracy still requires a strong and effective government. However, the strength of the government must go hand in hand with openness to criticism, respect for differences, adherence to the law, and a willingness to be accountable for every decision to the people.
“A healthy democracy requires a strong and effective government, while also being open to criticism, respecting differences, upholding the law, and always ready to be accountable for every decision to the people,” AHY said.
AHY also reminded of the importance of safeguarding the values of Reformasi in every election. He stressed that political competition must take place honestly, fairly, freely and democratically. “Elections must be honest, fair, free and democratic,” he asserted.
To ensure these principles are upheld, AHY called on the TNI, Polri, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, the civil service (ASN) and all state apparatus to maintain professionalism and neutrality in elections. “The TNI, Polri, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, ASN and all state apparatus must be professional and neutral,” he said.
He also reminded that state facilities and resources must not be used for practical political interests. According to him, all state facilities should be returned to their primary function of serving the public interest. “State facilities must be used for the people’s interests, not for practical political interests,” AHY said.
Furthermore, AHY stressed the need to ensure that all election participants receive fair treatment. He argued that political victory must be born from the mandate and trust of the people, not from the use of power or state facilities.
“Every election participant must receive fair treatment. Whoever wins must win because they have gained the people’s trust, and whoever loses must respect the people’s will,” AHY said.
In his speech, AHY invited the Democratic Party to draw lessons from the party’s experience both in government and in opposition. He specifically mentioned the 10 years of the administration of Indonesia’s 6th president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), including the transition of power that took place after two terms in office.
“We should learn from the 10 years of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration, including when the transition of power took place peacefully and democratically after two terms,” he concluded.