Prabowo Unbothered by Impeachment: There Are Channels, DPR and MPR

President Prabowo Subianto has said he has no problem with impeachment as long as it is carried out in accordance with the applicable provisions, not through violence.

He made this statement during the ‘Presidential Briefing at the Red and White Cabinet Working Meeting’ at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4).

Prabowo stated that Indonesia has chosen to be a democratic country, so sovereignty lies in the hands of the people. He said that if the people assess that the government is not performing well, a change can be made.

“There is no problem if there is a government that is deemed not good, then change the government; there is a mechanism for that, in a good way, peacefully, through General Elections, no problem,” said Prabowo.

“It can also be through impeachment, no problem either. But impeachment must go through the channels; there are channels, DPR, MPR, if done that way, no problem,” he continued.

Prabowo then alluded to changes or transitions of leadership in Indonesia that occurred peacefully.

“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 said.

“So, brothers and sisters, believe in the system that has been built by the founders of our nation. Believe in our own strength. Believe in Indonesia,” said the Chairman General of the Gerindra Party.

The issue of impeachment has resurfaced in public discourse after Professor of Political Science at UIN Jakarta, Saiful Mujani, called for consolidation to bring down President Prabowo.

He explained that the statement was made at an event themed “halal bihalal of observers before being organised.” Saiful emphasised that this political stance is not treason.

“The question is, can my statement be called treason? I affirm that it is not treason, but political engagement, namely a political stance or statement made about a political issue in front of many people. The politics in that event mainly related to President Prabowo’s performance,” said Saiful in his explanation on Tuesday (7/4).