Bahlil Responds to 5 Per Cent Parliamentary Threshold Proposal

The General Chairman of the Golkar Party, Bahlil Lahadalia, believes that 5 per cent is the ideal threshold for parties to enter parliament (parliamentary threshold). In recent days, discussions regarding the Election Bill (RUU Pemilu) have commenced in the House of Representatives (DPR), although the Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, noted that the deliberations are still in the early stages.

“Regarding the parliamentary threshold, in our communications with various parties, some desire 6 per cent, some 7 per cent, some 5 per cent, and some even lower; however, as an ideal figure, 5 per cent is suitable,” stated Bahlil Lahadalia, answering journalists’ questions during his activities at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (18/09/2026).

Nevertheless, Bahlil did not elaborate further on his party’s specific stance regarding the 5 per cent parliamentary threshold option. He also declined to answer questions concerning the meeting between the chairmen of political parties within the government coalition regarding the discussion of the parliamentary threshold.

So far, Golkar is not the only party suggesting that 5 per cent is ideal. Several political parties currently holding seats in the DPR have also proposed the 5 per cent figure for inclusion in the Election Bill. Parties that have openly mentioned the 5 per cent figure include Gerindra, PDI Perjuangan, PKS, and Golkar.

The General Secretary of the Gerindra Party, Sugiono, when questioned by journalists at the MPR/DPR/DPD Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (16/09/2026), stated that his party agrees with a five per cent parliamentary threshold in the discussions regarding the new Election Bill.

Sugiono also mentioned that the 5 per cent figure was discussed during a meeting of chairmen of political parties within the government coalition, which took place while he was accompanying President Prabowo Subianto on a visit to New Delhi, India, last week.