Budi Arie stresses accelerated election discourse is personal analysis

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Projo chairman Budi Arie Setiadi has asserted that his statement regarding the possibility of the 2029 general election being brought forward was a personal analysis, not a political will to change the election schedule.

“If it is an analysis, it goes like this: there is the usual possibility of 2029, but why is there an analysis of it being sooner? There is no need to retract it; let time prove it. I am not correcting my statement, I am only saying that we can improve,” Budi Arie said during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.

He explained that political analysis differs from political will or intent. According to him, his statement arose from observing societal dynamics, including the development of student movements and various aspirations emerging in the public sphere.

“Political will, political intent, and political analysis are two different things,” he said.

“I am not trying to encourage or invite anyone. I am only saying that if these dynamics occur, they must be managed properly. The societal dynamics that are occurring must be managed well,” he said.

According to him, Indonesia has experience of political change in the past that should serve as a lesson in reading the current political dynamics.

“As for whether the election is brought forward or held according to schedule, the latter is better. And we do agree with the foundation of our reform that elections are held every five years,” Budi Arie said.

He reminded that the experience of political change from 1997 to 1999 should be taken into consideration so that the current political dynamics are handled carefully.

“But I am only reminding all of us that we have had an experience, right? The years 1997 to 1999, so we must be vigilant, we must anticipate this carefully and calmly,” he said.

“The main thing is democracy and the constitution. We follow the rules. We obey the rules,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baramuda 08 chairman Rhesa Yoga said that his side had communicated with Budi Arie after the video of the statement went viral to provide clarification to the public.

“At that time I was not present. So because of the uproar over that viral clip, we immediately countered it to the public as well. We also reminded Mr Budi at that time to be careful,” Rhesa said.

Previously, a video recording circulated on social media showing Budi Arie speaking beside Joko Widodo about the possibility of political momentum and the election taking place sooner.

The statement then drew public attention and sparked various speculations about the direction of national politics.