Golkar Responds to Issue of Presidential Candidates Requiring Support from Three Parliamentary Parties

Secretary-General of the Golkar Party, Muhammad Sarmuji, has responded to speculation regarding a scenario in the Election Bill that would require presidential and vice-presidential candidates to be supported by at least three parliamentary parties. The issue was previously raised by Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Benny K. Harman in an opinion piece published in Kompas daily on 21 June. Sarmuji claimed to have no knowledge of the issue. Speaking in a jesting tone, he praised the information or leak obtained by Benny. “So far, there hasn’t been any leak at all. Mr Benny K. Harman is truly remarkable, he already has a leak,” Sarmuji said at the parliamentary complex on Monday (29/6). He also revealed that there has been no official discussion on the Election Bill to date. He said the bill’s deliberation is still at the internal party stage and under review with experts. “We want to go on a safari to political observers, a safari to parties with seats in parliament, a safari to those without seats in parliament, all for the perfection of the Election Bill discussion,” he said. Nevertheless, Sarmuji stressed that his party wants the Election Bill to be discussed soon because the election stages must commence promptly. According to him, discussing the Election Bill is crucial to provide certainty. “Soon, around October, there will be recruitment for election organisers, and other stages must already be underway,” he said. In his opinion piece, Benny wrote about a scenario where presidential and vice-presidential candidates would need to be nominated by at least three parliamentary parties. The issue has sparked debate because the Constitutional Court has ordered the removal of the presidential nomination threshold. “There is a strong indication that the upcoming election regulations are deliberately designed to limit the people’s right to choose their highest leader,” Benny wrote. “One of the most dangerous discourses being floated is the restriction on presidential and vice-presidential candidates, where only candidate pairs supported by at least three parliamentary parties would be allowed to contest,” he added.