Prabowo States that Ousting Can Occur, Provided It Follows Official Processes

The government faces a policy dilemma with no truly comfortable options.

President Prabowo Subianto has asked all parties to prioritise the rules and mechanisms in the democratic system. This includes if the people desire a change in government.

“If there is a government deemed not good, then change that government. There is a mechanism for it, done properly, peacefully. It can be through general elections, no problem. It can also be through impeachment (ouster), no problem,” said Prabowo during a briefing at the Working Meeting of the Red and White Cabinet at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4).

Prabowo emphasised that impeachment can be pursued if desired. However, the process must be carried out according to the applicable mechanisms. According to him, ousting efforts can be channelled through the People’s Representative Council (DPR), the Constitutional Court (MK), and the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).

“Impeachment has its channels: DPR, MK, MPR. If done, no problem. In our history, changes have occurred. Bung Karno stepped down peacefully, Pak Harto stepped down peacefully, Gus Dur stepped down peacefully, through processes, not through violence,” he explained.

Therefore, Prabowo called on the public not to be easily divided and not to be easily ignited emotionally. He also asked the public to trust the system that has been built and applies in Indonesia.

“So, trust the system built by our nation’s founders. Trust our own strength, trust Indonesia,” he concluded.