Anies on "Presidential Children Banned from Running for President": Constitutional Court Must Create Equal Democracy
Jakarta — Former 2024 presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has addressed the phenomenon of widespread political dynasties in the country whilst responding to a legal petition seeking to prohibit presidential children from running for president.
He emphasised that government should work in the interests of the broader public, not for specific family groups or particular factions.
“I believe it is very important that in Indonesia, both local and national government work for the people, not for family groups and not for specific groups only,” Anies said during the first-anniversary celebration of the Gerakan Rakyat civil society organisation on Friday 27 February 2026.
According to Anies, democracy has fundamental benchmarks including equal opportunities for all citizens. Therefore, every decision made by the Constitutional Court (MK) must strengthen this principle.
“Democracy has fundamental benchmarks. We hope that Indonesian democracy provides equal opportunities for everyone. So when the Constitutional Court makes decisions, those decisions must make our democracy increasingly equal,” he said.
He recalled that Indonesia previously had regulations prohibiting relatives of sitting officials from running in regional elections, but this was later invalidated through an MK decision.
“One of the important decisions, in my view, was back in 2015, when there was indeed a law prohibiting those who wished to run in regional elections from being relatives of the incumbent. But then the Constitutional Court tested the law’s constitutionality and declared it invalid,” Anies said.
“Since 2014 until now, we have witnessed dynasties emerging everywhere. In my opinion, after 10 years, the public can judge whether it is time that law was corrected again,” he continued.
Anies believes the experience of over a decade can serve as material for evaluation to assess the impact of such policy on the quality of democracy.
Regarding the future prospects of Gerakan Rakyat, he views the organisation as a forum for volunteers and supporters who previously campaigned together during the 2024 presidential election.
“Gerakan Rakyat facilitates everyone who previously struggled together in the presidential election. So with this forum, communication, silaturahmi (social bonds), and joint activities can continue to be carried out,” he said.
Anies also appreciated the expansion of Gerakan Rakyat across various regions in Indonesia, not only in major cities.
“I greatly appreciate that its reach extends throughout Indonesia, not just in major cities, but across all regions of Indonesia. This shows that this is a nationwide forum,” Anies said.
The petition, registered with case number 81/PUU-XXIV/2026, requests the Constitutional Court to prohibit blood relatives and in-laws of the sitting president or vice president from running as presidential or vice-presidential candidates.
The petitioners argue that the absence of regulations addressing conflict-of-interest risks opening space for nepotism and abuse of power in elections, and could undermine the principles of fair and integrity-based elections.