KPK Involves Party Cadres in Study on Two-Term Limit for Political Party Leaders
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has explained that the study regulating a maximum two-term limit for political party (parpol) chairmen emerged after receiving input from various parties. One of the involved parties was political party cadres.
“Yes, of course, because that study involved many elements, including colleagues from political parties who also provided suggestions and input in efforts to improve the political system in Indonesia,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo when confirmed at his office in Jakarta on Thursday (23/4).
Budi explained that the study is part of KPK’s efforts to prevent corruption in the political sector. He revealed that the political sector is one of the areas prone to corruption.
“KPK approaches through preventive measures, as well as education approaches and public participation, which we regularly carry out, such as the Smart and Integrity Politics programme, then campaigns against money politics, and so on,” he added.
Regarding the study on political party governance, KPK has issued at least 16 recommendations.
Among them is the initiator of changes to Law No. 2/2011 (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, including activities, participants, objectives, and outputs conducted by political parties funded by government financial assistance.
Then, the Ministry of Home Affairs to revise Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 36 of 2018 and No. 36 of 2010 to regulate the curriculum material for political education as a reference for political parties.
Furthermore, recommending that the Ministry of Home Affairs develop standardisation and a reporting system for political party cadre development integrated with banpol.
It also encourages political parties to implement Constitutional Court Decision No. 60/PUU-XXII/2024 on the minimum threshold for regional elections through candidate recruitment based on cadre development, up to regulating the leadership limit for party chairmen to a maximum to ensure cadre development runs smoothly.
The KPK study has received negative responses from PDIP and NasDem leaders.
PDIP politician Guntur Romli assessed that the KPK has exceeded its authority. According to him, the KPK has no authority to interfere in political party internal affairs.
“Managing political party households, which legally are civil society organisations (not state institutions), can be seen as a step too far,” said Guntur Romli.
Meanwhile, NasDem General Treasurer Ahmad Sahroni firmly rejected the KPK’s proposal. He stated that the term of office for political party chairmen is entirely the prerogative of the party.
“That is the right of political parties, so it cannot be interfered with, even regarding the mechanisms, related to the processes and dynamics within it, which are internal to the political party,” said Sahroni.