Mahfud MD Gives Public Lecture at Udayana University, Constitutional Democracy and Dignified Elections

Jimbaran - Udayana University (Unud) held a Public Lecture presenting the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. H. Mahfud MD, SH., SU, Tuesday (10/10/2023) at the Widya Sabha Auditorium Building, Unud, Jimbaran Campus. Public Lecture guided by moderator Dr. I Dewa Gede Palguna, SH., M.Hum took the theme Constitutional Democracy and Dignified Elections "Elections are not to elect perfect leaders but to prevent bad people from becoming leaders" and was attended by thousands of students, lecturers, political parties, figures community and other invitees.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ir. I Gede Rai Maya Temaja, MP., IPU in his speech said that elections are a means for all elements of the nation to elect the best sons/daughters of the nation who will lead this country for the next five years. Based on this, it is fitting for all citizens to understand the essence of elections as a moment of implementing the right to choose and be elected (right to vote and right to be a candidate). As part of constitutional rights, all elements of the nation must have the same perspective to realize dignified elections. In this way, every citizen is believed to be able to think logically and feel secure in determining their chosen leader candidate.

Elections are not solely a political matter, but also relate to legal, social, cultural, economic, defense and security issues. Therefore, it is not easy to discuss elections. Of course, we need intellectual figures who have competence and experience in the field of elections whose knowledge we need to listen to, as a provision for all of us to be able to think logically about elections.

"Organizing a Public Lecture with the title Constitutional Democracy and Dignified Elections is also a form of implementing the Tridharma of Higher Education, especially in the field of education. Udayana University hopes that holding this public lecture can provide positive benefits for all Indonesian people, especially the Balinese people," said Prof. Rai. It is hoped that this Public Lecture can provide positive benefits for all parties.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD in his material said that national politics must be campaigned even on campus. What should not be campaigned on is electoral politics.
"When we talk about national politics, how we should be a state, how people should follow state rules and exercise their rights based on the rules made by the state and how state officials should act, well that is called national politics," he said Mahfud MD.

Furthermore, in his presentation, he also stated that democracy is a mechanism for absorbing the good aspirations of each individual into the public good. Democracy has a set of values ​​as boundaries that must not be violated, namely recognition and respect for basic human rights and freedoms, unity, peace and justice. Meanwhile, elections are one of the mechanisms that mark a democratic state which is always expected to produce democratic government and power in accordance with the aspirations of the people. On this occasion, ethical elections and dignified elections were also explained.

This Public Lecture attracted participants' interest in asking various questions directly to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs regarding democracy and the implementation of elections in Indonesia. Ending his material, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs invited the audience to sing the song Indonesia Pusaka.