Jakarta. Ridwan Kamil, a leading gubernatorial candidate for Jakarta from the Coalition for Advance Indonesia (KIM) Plus, has addressed the recent move by the House of Representatives (DPR) to cancel the ratification of the Regional Elections Law following nationwide protests on Thursday. 

Ridwan called on all parties to respect the legislative process and adhere to the existing regulations. 

"I hope this ruling encourages the emergence of new candidates across Indonesia, which would be beneficial for democracy and offer the people a broader and more diverse range of choices," Ridwan stated in an interview with reporters at the Jakarta office of the Democratic Party's Regional Leadership Council (DPD) on Friday.

Ridwan reiterated that he and his running mate, Suswono, would strictly follow the legal framework governing the 2024 elections, particularly in the Jakarta gubernatorial race.

Commenting on the Jakarta gubernatorial campaign, Ridwan expressed his desire for a healthy competition free of negative campaigning among the candidates.

"With more contestants, I hope the campaign atmosphere remains conducive and united. Let’s turn this democratic event into a celebration, like a cultural festival, rather than a platform for insults or bullying, so that voting becomes a joyful experience," he added.

Earlier this week, the Constitutional Court lowered the electoral threshold to 6.5-10 percent of valid votes, allowing parties to nominate candidates without forming a coalition. This ruling could potentially allow former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to compete with Ridwan. However, the DPR, except for PDI-P, ruled that this decision would only apply to non-parliamentary parties, limiting the possibility of more candidates in the upcoming November election. This decision has sparked nationwide protests by students, activists, and celebrities.

Despite strong backing from a broad coalition including Gerindra, Golkar, PKS, Nasdem, PKB, PSI, PAN, Demokrat, Garuda, Gelora, Perindo, and PPP, Ridwan Kamil's popularity lags behind Anies Baswedan. A recent survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC), conducted from August 8 to 12, shows Anies leading with 42.8 percent support, compared to Ridwan’s 34.9 percent. However, Anies still needs to secure the endorsement of PDI-P’s chairwoman, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who has been reluctant to back him as he is not a member of PDI-P.

Protesters are also rallying against a DPR ruling that sets a minimum age of 30 for gubernatorial, mayoral, and regency candidates, a move that could allow President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s son, Kaesang Pangarep, to run in the regional election, likely as a deputy governor in Central Java. Critics argue that the Jokowi family is increasingly power-hungry, pointing to the recent election of Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as vice president.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has confirmed that the registration for regional head candidates, scheduled from Aug. 27 to Aug. 29, will proceed according to the Constitutional Court's decision. "We firmly state that we will implement the Constitutional Court's decision," Afifuddin said at the KPU office in Central Jakarta on Thursday evening.

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