Constitutional Court ruling opens opportunity for parliament to promptly discuss revised DPR pension law
The Parliamentary Legislative Body (Baleg) of the Indonesian House of Representatives has responded to the Constitutional Court’s (MK) ruling stating that Law No. 12 of 1980 concerning pension entitlements for parliamentary leaders and members (DPR Pension Law) is conditionally unconstitutional.
Baleg Deputy Chair Martin Manurung explained that according to law, legislation determined unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court automatically enters the Open Cumulative List. This is consistent with provisions in Law No. 15 of 2019 concerning the formation of legislation.
“Since there is now a Constitutional Court ruling regarding Law No. 12/1980, in accordance with Article 23 paragraph 2 of Law No. 15/2019, this legislation enters the Open Cumulative List. This means it can be revised outside the regular legislative agenda,” Manurung stated on Monday 16 March 2026.
Manurung acknowledged he has not yet fully reviewed the Constitutional Court’s ruling but grasped that the court deemed it necessary to reformulate the financial rights of high-ranking state officials.
“From what I read in the news, essentially the Constitutional Court believes a reformulation is needed in accordance with current developments and conditions regarding Law No. 12/1980,” he added.
Regarding the Constitutional Court’s directive to complete new legislation within two years, Manurung stressed that parliament will immediately establish intensive communication with the government. This coordination is necessary to ensure the new formulation concerning financial rights of former high-ranking state officials can be completed before the deadline expires.
“Since the Constitutional Court has provided a two-year timeframe, of course the House of Representatives will coordinate with the government regarding the revision of Law No. 12/1980,” concluded the Democratic Party politician.
Earlier, the Constitutional Court ruled Law No. 12 of 1980 on pension entitlements for parliamentary leaders and members conditionally unconstitutional against the 1945 Constitution. The court ordered the government and parliament to draft new legislation concerning financial rights of high-ranking state officials and former high-ranking state officials within two years.
Constitutional Court Chief Suhartoyo stated in the ruling delivered at the court’s plenum session in Jakarta on Monday that the legislation contradicts the 1945 Constitution and shall have no binding legal force on a conditional basis provided that replacement legislation is not enacted within a maximum of two years from the ruling’s pronouncement.
The Constitutional Court also stated that the DPR Pension Law for parliamentary leaders, members, and other high-level state institution officials remains in force until new legislation is enacted, no later than two years from the ruling’s pronouncement. If this is not accomplished, the consequence will be that pension-related financial rights no longer possess legal force.