REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- General Election Commission (KPU) commissioner Wahyu Setiawan commented on a number of Indonesian celebrities who become legislative candidates. He said people have the rights to determine their preference, including if the candidate came from entertainment background.
“We also believe political parties have considered many things about legislative candidates who come from celebrities circle, especially related to their track record,” Wahyu said on Thursday (July 19).
Wahyu asserted that KPU does not have the rights to assess personal skill of the celebrities who become legislative candidates. KPU only authorized to ensure that they fulfilled qualification.
“KPU authorized to ensure all legislative candidates meet the requirements in accordance with law. In time, people will assess and vote,” Wahyu added.
Almost all political parties that participating in 2019 election have registered a number of celebrities as legislative candidates. From 16 national political parties, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Nasdem Party become parties with many legislative candidates from celebrities circle.
Earlier, Indo Barometer Executive Director Muhammad Qodari said it is unfair to questioned legislative candidates with entertainment background. He asserted that House of Representatives (DPR) members indeed have diverse background.
Qodari was aware that there is an impression related to the ability and intellectual of celebrities which considered low. However, he disagree to generalize it.
“Not all celebrities like that, just like the other professions,” said Qodari.
Meanwhile, PDI-P secretary-general, Hasto Kristianto said his party recruits celebrities to be legislative candidates with consideration to strengthen the nation's personality in cultural context. He asserted the party is not arbitrarily in choosing celebrities.
“We’re not random when choosing legislative candidates and they have run several stages of the process," said Hasto.
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