Valentine's Day marks Indonesia's 'Democracy Festival' - Ambassador Hermono

KUALA LUMPUR - Indonesia's Presidential Election (PE) 2024, scheduled on Valentine's Day, has been aptly dubbed the "Democracy Festival" by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Hermono.

Poised to become the world's largest single-day electoral event in 2024, Indonesia, the fourth-most-populous country globally, will see over 200 million eligible voters casting their ballots, surpassing the voter turnout expected in the United States.

With Valentine's Day coinciding with Indonesia's Presidential Election, Hermono stressed that the economy is a predominant concern among Indonesians, both domestically and in Malaysia, as the nation anticipates its future with eager optimism.

"Despite a robust growth of five per cent in the last quarter, Indonesians are ambitiously aiming for Indonesia to rank among the top four or five global economies by its centennial independence anniversary in 2045.

"This goal mirrors our collective ambition for national advancement," Hermono shared with Sinar in a recent interview.

Alongside economic growth, Indonesians are focusing on important issues like clean energy, sustainability, food security, education, and employment, indicating a comprehensive strategy towards national development and well-being.

"These topics resonate deeply with the Indonesian community, signalling a holistic approach to the nation's development and wellbeing," he said.

According to Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, the nation's economic growth targets were set ambitiously high, with an average of 5.9 per cent growth required from 2025 to 2029, 6.9 per cent from 2030 to 2039, and 5.1 per cent from 2040 to 2045 to achieve these aspirations.

On polls, Hermono noted that Indonesians in Malaysia typically account for 30 per cent of the total registered voters in PE.

However, recent statistics showed a significant return of Indonesians to their homeland during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"During the pandemic, 350,000 Indonesians returned home.

"I anticipate a lower participation rate this year.

"Nonetheless, preparations are in full gear, and in Kuala Lumpur alone, we have 447,000 registered voters.

"The breakdown includes 156,000 for postal voting, 67,000 for mobile voting, and 223,000 for direct voting at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

From a national development perspective, Hermono said the three candidate pairs: Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar, Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD, each have their ways to shape the future of Indonesia.

Hermono highlighted the strong cultural and political ties between Indonesia and Malaysia, noting the Indonesian candidates' recognition in Malaysia.

"The candidates are well-known in Malaysia, with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also enjoying popularity in Indonesia," he said, referring to the significant cross-border interest in the leadership and its impact on bilateral relations.

As Indonesia prepares for the election, Hermono stressed the necessity for innovative and diverse development policies to address the nation's challenges head-on.

With economic progress as a critical focus, Indonesia is geared towards confronting vital issues, setting the stage for a future that aligns with its ambitious 2045 goals.