KPK Proposes Maximum Two Terms for Party Leaders, PAN: Violates Freedom of Association
The National Mandate Party (PAN) has responded to the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) recommendations on political party governance, particularly the proposal to limit the tenure of party chairmen to a maximum of two terms. PAN views this idea as potentially violating the freedom of association.
“According to PAN, any proposal to limit the term of a party chairman could be seen as a violation of the freedom of association (Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution). Parties can argue that they are private-political organisations entitled to determine their own leadership,” said PAN Deputy Secretary-General Viva Yoga Mauladi to reporters on Friday (24/4/2026).
Viva explained that parties would naturally lose public legitimacy if their internal dynamics foster oligarchy. “If there is concern that political party life breeds oligarchy, blocks cadre development, and becomes authoritarian with internal conflicts, the public is not politically blind. They will certainly not vote for that party in the next election because the party will lose legitimacy from the people,” he stated.
Furthermore, Viva emphasised that the state does not regulate the detailed periodisation of party chairmen positions. He views this right as stemming from citizens’ constitutional rights to associate and assemble.
“PAN believes that in Law No. 2 of 2011 on Political Parties, the state does not regulate in detail the periodisation of party chairmen positions,” he said.
“This stems from the constitutional rights of citizens to associate and assemble, Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution. Political parties are social or private organisations given a public role, distinct from state institutions that hold power to manage the state,” he added.
Viva stated that the Political Parties Law has granted significant authority to parties to manage their own internal affairs. According to him, to enhance the quality of democracy in Indonesia, the government should ensure that parties maximise their primary functions in political recruitment and education, as well as fostering national and regional leadership.
“The matter of who becomes the chairman of a political party is the collective will within the political party itself. There should be no intervention from any party or individual outside the political party,” he concluded.
For context, the KPK conducted a study on political party governance to prevent corruption. One of the proposals is to limit the tenure of party chairmen to two terms.
This study was carried out by the KPK in 2025 through its Monitoring Directorate. The KPK identified four points needing improvement in Indonesia’s political party system and provided 16 recommendations.
“To ensure cadre development proceeds effectively, regulations are needed to limit the leadership of party chairmen to a maximum of two terms,” reads one of the recommendations from the KPK study on Thursday (23/4).