Deputy Interior Minister on KPK Proposal: Party Cadre System for Presidential Candidates is a Dream, but Not Easy
Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya has responded to the KPK’s proposal that prospective presidential and vice-presidential candidates must go through a party cadre system. Bima Arya views cadre development as an important matter that needs improvement to produce quality leaders.
“If it’s about cadre development, we agree and are 100% enthusiastic. Indeed, cadre development must be overhauled to produce capable leaders, leaders with capacity,” said Bima Arya to reporters on Thursday (23/4/2026).
According to him, the proposal is a hope for all political parties. However, Bima stated that realising the proposal is not easy.
“Yes, it’s the dream of all political parties. They want to mould their cadres into leaders at all levels, including the highest level, the president. That’s the dream of all parties. But actually, it’s not an easy thing,” he said.
“It’s related to funding issues, education issues, political system issues, electoral system issues, and so on,” he continued.
Bima said that every political party would be pleased if their cadres become leaders. He stated that the proposal would be studied together.
“So, how can we build a system together so that there are incentives for parties to develop their cadres. If this is very good, we are pleased if the cadres come from political parties,” he said.
“But how to do it, well, this must be studied by sitting together to sharpen it,” he continued.
Furthermore, Bima Arya also responded to the proposal for a maximum of two terms for party general chairmanships. According to him, such limitations must be done carefully.
“Yes, but limiting the term of the general chairman must be careful. Don’t let it then be challenged again in the Constitutional Court,” he said.
Bima gave examples that in various countries, there are party leaders who serve more than two terms. However, he said, they are still able to build a good party system.
“Because wherever in the world, there are party leaders, for example, who serve more than two terms but are able to build the party, build the party system like that,” he explained.
He also assessed that the main problem in political parties is not solely the length of the general chairman’s term. Instead, it lies in the party’s accountability and integrity system.
“So I think the problem might not be in the term of office, the problem is more about the accountability and integrity system of political parties. If more than twice but able to build an integrity system, how about that,” he revealed.
“So the root problem of the party must be seen, and be careful not to contradict the Basic Law,” he added.
Here are 13 points of KPK recommendations from the study on political party governance:
The initiators of changes to Law No. 2 of 2011 (Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Human Rights) and the DPR (Commission II and Legislative Body) to complete Article 34 by adding a clause on the obligation to report political education activities covering activities, participants, objectives, and outputs carried out by political parties funded by government financial assistance.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to revise Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 36 of 2018 and 36 of 2010 to regulate the curriculum material for political education as a reference for political parties.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare an integrated reporting system regarding the implementation of political education carried out by the government or political parties. This is in accordance with the duties and functions of the Ministry of Home Affairs as general guidance in the field of domestic politics and democracy (Article 117 Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2025).
The preparation of curriculum material and integrated reporting system by the Ministry of Home Affairs becomes part of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ duties as a supervisor in accordance with the revision of Article 46 of Law No. 2 of 2008.
The need to add to the revision of Article 29 of Law No. 2 of 2011:
• Regarding political party membership in Article 29 Paragraph (1) letter a, add that political party members consist of young, intermediate, and senior members.
• Requirements for cadres becoming prospective DPR/DPRD candidates are clearly stated and tiered in the law in Article 29 paragraph (1a). For example: prospective DPR candidates come from senior cadres, prospective Provincial DPRD candidates come from intermediate cadres.
• Requirements for prospective presidential/vice-presidential/regional head/deputy regional head candidates, in addition to being democratic and open, add a clause that they come from the party cadre system.
• Add requirements for the minimum time of joining the party to be nominated by the party.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare standardisation and integrated reporting system for political party cadre development with the National Police.
Encourage political parties to implement the Constitutional Court Decision No. 60/PUU-XXII/2024 on the minimum threshold for regional head elections through recruitment of candidates based on cadre development.
To ensure the implementation of cadre development, regulation is needed to limit the leadership of the party general chairman to a maximum of 2 periods of management term.
The initiators of changes to Law No. 2 of 2011 (Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Human Rights) and the DPR (Commission II and Legislative Body) to complete Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre levels and recorded in the political party’s financial reporting.
Political parties to implement Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre levels and recorded in the political party’s financial reporting.
Political party financial reports to disclose individual donations consisting of donations from executive/legislative political party official members, ordinary members, and non-party members.
Eliminate sources of donations from business entities/companies. Donations from business entities/companies are recorded as donations from individuals (beneficial ownership of business entities) (implication: deletion of Article 35 paragraph (1) letter c).
The Ministry of Home Affairs to create an integrated political party financial reporting system with the National Police reporting system that can be accessed by