PRIME NEWS POST

The INDONESIAN — Controversy surrounding the mid-term replacement process for members of the Central Lombok Regency Regional Legislative Council has drawn serious attention from civil society groups, youth activists, and governance oversight advocates.

This stance was conveyed directly by Amjad Fathulbari, a member of the National Investigation Team for Law and Human Rights under the Central Board of the Indonesian Students and Youth Movement (GMPRI), who is calling for a comprehensive review of administrative aspects, legal validity, and the consistency of party membership status throughout the replacement process.

The demand follows the circulation of a document purported to be a resignation letter from political party membership, dated May 30, 2024. The letter states the resignation was submitted to pursue postgraduate studies and take part in the 2024 selection process for government civil servant positions.

According to Amjad Fathulbari, this document raises questions that must be answered publicly, especially since the individual in question later proceeded to the inauguration stage through the mid-term replacement mechanism.

“If it is true that a resignation letter was submitted — one that carries administrative and organizational consequences — then the public has the right to know how that legal status and membership standing were restored, revoked, or declared still valid under proper procedures. This is not about attacking individuals, but about upholding administrative certainty and the dignity of democracy,” Amjad stated on May 18.

GMPRI emphasized that the concern is not focused on any individual, but rather on procedural clarity, administrative transparency, and legal certainty. The goal is to prevent the creation of precedents that could erode public trust in the political system and mechanisms of people’s representation.

Amjad further explained that if the resignation letter had indeed been accepted and processed internally by the party, the public deserves an explanation as to whether there is any documentation regarding its cancellation, withdrawal, or the reinstatement of membership status — or any other administrative measure serving as the legal basis allowing the person to participate in the replacement process.

GMPRI Demands Official Clarification

On these grounds, the National Investigation Team for Law and Human Rights of GMPRI’s Central Board is urging the following parties to take action:

– The Central Board of the United Development Party (PPP) to issue an official statement and public explanation regarding the organizational status and administrative legality underlying the mid-term replacement process.
– The PPP Regional Board for West Nusa Tenggara Province to conduct an internal review and communicate its official position on the controversy unfolding in the public domain.
– The PPP Branch Board for Central Lombok Regency to explain the administrative timeline concerning the aforementioned resignation letter, including details on whether the letter was received, processed, deemed valid, or followed up with any further administrative measures.
– The Central Lombok Regency General Elections Commission to ensure the entire replacement process was carried out using documents and requirements that fully comply with prevailing regulations.
– The Elections Supervisory Body to conduct an assessment and oversight if indications emerge of administrative irregularities related to electoral administration.

GMPRI also stressed that should any document discrepancies, administrative errors, or alleged procedural violations be discovered in the future, resolution must be sought through established legal and institutional mechanisms — including administrative forums, electoral oversight bodies, or legal channels appropriate to the nature of the case.

“We are not building a narrative to punish anyone. What we ask for is transparency, document verification, and official clarification, so as to avoid perceptions of irregularities or administrative mistakes that could damage public trust,” Amjad Fathulbari concluded.