Businesspeople have expressed their concerns over post-election uncertainty, following losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto’s rejection of incumbent Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s victory as announced by the General Elections Commission (KPU).
Prabowo’s camp has filed its appeal at the Constitutional Court (MK), but political analysts believe this would not be the end of the political dispute.
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) deputy chairman Raden Pardede emphasized the business community’s hope that the matter could be resolved through the Constitutional Court.
He also called for an end of street demonstrations and actions that could trigger further concerns among businesspeople.
“[…] Let the Constitutional Court do its job. Don’t let investors to be worried by the situation,” he said as quoted by kontan.co.id.
He warned that extending uncertainty would have a negative impact on the country’s economy, adding that violent protests – which killed eight people – could discourage investors from coming to Indonesia.
Indonesian Truck Operators Association (Aptrindo) deputy chief Kyatmaja Lookman welcomed the Prabowo camp’s decision to take the dispute to the Constitutional Court with the hope that it would bring a peaceful end to the presidential election.
He reiterated that violent protest would only alarm the business community.
“We hope that election protests won’t trigger riots; it will badly affect business, like what occurred on May 21 and 22,” he said, adding that riots had prompted the closure of Tanah Abang Market and causing financial losses.
A similar comment came from Indonesian Retail Business Association (Aprindo) deputy chairman Tutum Ruhanta, who called on all parties to respect the process in the Constitutional Court.
“All parties have to respect the law, and please don’t disrupt [business] activities,” he added.
