The 2024 Presidential Election is Over, But Our Work Has Only Become More Challenging

We now face the simultaneous regional elections (Pilkada) to be held across the nation. A total of 545 provinces, regencies, and cities must carry out their regional elections; and in accordance with the mandate of the Constitution, these regional heads must be elected directly by the people.

In other words, as a great and sovereign nation, our Motherland Indonesia is now calling upon her best sons and daughters to step forward and lead—whether at the provincial, regency, or city level—as governors, regents, or mayors. Of course, Indonesia needs credible regional leaders in order to rise as a just and prosperous developed nation for all. That progress is a constitutional mandate that must be echoed across every inch of the motherland. To achieve this, improvements and changes must be carried out in all areas of life.

Quality Regional Elections

Therefore, the participation of all citizens in the regional elections is a responsibility that must be fulfilled. It is not merely a five-year routine, but something far more substantive—the process of choosing the nation’s best leaders to advance the country and ensure the well-being of all its people.

As we know, even though Indonesia has been independent for 78 years, there is still a dire need for reform and transformation in many sectors—politics, economy, law, education, religion, and socio-cultural development. The reality shows that despite our long-standing independence, we remain slow and lagging behind. The level of public education is still concerning (average IQ has dropped to 78). Poverty continues to loom (68% of the population cannot access balanced nutrition). Unemployment and the low quality of life for the majority are still prevalent in everyday life.

On the other hand, Indonesia’s GDP per capita is three times lower than Malaysia’s, 20 times lower than Singapore’s, and three times lower than China’s—despite China’s per capita income being twice as low as Indonesia’s back in 1990. In the area of natural resource exploitation—nickel, gold, and other minerals are continuously extracted from our land—yet the industries that produce electric vehicles and mobile phones using nickel-based batteries remain out of Indonesia’s control.

All of this compels us to choose credible and competent leaders to transform Indonesia into a developed nation—because leadership is the key.

Regional Elections and National Reform

Therefore, anyone who truly wants to see the people of this country become intelligent and prosperous must never stop fighting. Rise up and raise the banner of national awakening. The nation’s abundant natural wealth must be managed for the greatest possible benefit of the people—not for a handful of oligarchic elites, not for certain families or political dynasties. The dream of a Just and Prosperous Indonesia for All must continue to be raised and ignited throughout the people’s movement.

In other words, we are all called to this mission of reform and transformation. As the best sons and daughters of your respective regions, you are being called. The people are asking you to carry forward the ideals of reform and change. The people want conditions to change; they want to break free from poverty and injustice. They are asking you to lead with integrity, without allowing the nation’s wealth (capital) to be distributed solely through an unjust market mechanism. The people want you to bring forth a just and dignified state.

Closing

Therefore, in the 2024 simultaneous regional elections, the call for a “Dignified Pilkada” must be raised. The theme of reform and change should no longer be seen as a partisan political program or an enemy of continuity. Reform and change must be recognized as matters of public interest, as the people’s collective hope.

For that reason, a Dignified Pilkada must be conducted to elect regional leaders who champion reform and change. This call must be echoed by all national elites, government officials, intellectuals, civil society actors, and especially by every candidate running in the 2024 Pilkada.

All regional head candidates competing in these elections must act as icons of reform and transformation to realize a just and prosperous Indonesia for all.
And we are ready to stand by your side as a candidate to help you win this contest.

I am Indonesia. I stand for Reform and Change.
Freedom!