Constitutional Court Dismisses Challenge to Absence of Term Limits for DPR Members Due to Petitioner's Failure to Attend Hearing

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Constitutional Court (MK) has dismissed the petition for material examination of Law Number 7 of 2017 on General Elections regarding term limits for members of the DPR and DPRD.

The decision was read out during the Hearing for the Pronouncement of Ruling Number 117/PUU-XXIV/2026 in the MK’s Plenary Courtroom on Thursday (16/4/2026).

The petition was dismissed because the petitioner, Fahrizal, did not attend the hearing without a valid reason, despite being properly summoned.

“The petitioner’s petition must be declared dismissed, and the Court issues a ruling. Declaring the petitioner’s petition dismissed,” said MK Chief Justice Suhartoyo.

However, until the hearing commenced, the petitioner did not appear without a valid reason.

The Court still opened the hearing to confirm the petitioner’s attendance, but the individual remained absent despite proper summons.

Based on the provisions of Constitutional Court Regulation Number 7 of 2025 and Law Number 48 of 2009, the Judges’ Deliberation Meeting on 9 April 2026 concluded that the absence indicated the petitioner was not serious in filing the petition.

The petitioner argued that the absence of legislative term limits could potentially lead to oligarchy and contradict the principle of separation of powers in the constitution.

He compared this to the positions of president and regional heads, which are limited to a maximum of two terms.

The petitioner requested that the MK declare the provision contrary to the 1945 Constitution and devoid of binding legal force.