KPK Proposes Party Cadre Training for Presidential Candidates; Anies' Spokesperson Highlights Open Democracy
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has presented 16 recommendations from its study on political party governance, one of which is the obligation for prospective presidential and vice-presidential candidates to undergo cadre training. In response, Anies Baswedan’s spokesperson, Angga Putra Fidrian, stated that democracy must continue to provide broad opportunities for all segments of society.
“Regarding the proposal for presidential and vice-presidential candidates to come from party cadres, democracy must open doors for the nation’s best young people from within or outside political parties,” Angga told reporters on Thursday (23/4/2026).
He said that political parties are indeed the entry point in the democratic system. However, he added, this should not become a barrier for citizens to advance as leaders.
“Parties as entry points but must not limit the opportunities for the nation’s children to become national leaders,” he stated.
“More importantly, the recruitment process and transparency must be the main concerns, especially regarding high political costs,” he continued.
Additionally, he assessed that the electoral system also needs to provide space for new parties so that political cadre training can develop more broadly. He emphasised that there should be no restrictions on parties.
“The electoral system must also provide space for new parties so that the space for political cadre training becomes broader. Do not let parties be restricted and hindered, as this will only worsen our political situation,” he explained.
Nevertheless, Angga appreciated the proposals from the KPK. According to him, these proposals are part of the broader agenda to eradicate corruption.
“Appreciation for the KPK for providing input on improving political parties as part of the major anti-corruption agenda,” he said.
The KPK has provided 16 points of recommendations from its study on political party governance. The matter of presidential candidates needing to go through party cadre training is in point 5. Here are the 16 points of KPK recommendations:
The initiators of amendments 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) should 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.
The Ministry of Home Affairs should 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.
The Ministry of Home Affairs should develop an integrated reporting system for 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 the general supervisor in the field of domestic politics and democracy (Article 117 of Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2025).
The preparation of curriculum material and an integrated reporting system by the Ministry of Home Affairs becomes part of the Ministry’s 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: DPR candidates come from senior cadres, provincial DPRD candidates 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 a requirement for the minimum time to join the party to be nominated by the party.
The Ministry of Home Affairs should develop standardisation and an integrated reporting system for political party cadre training 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 candidate recruitment based on cadre training.
To ensure the implementation of cadre training, regulation is needed to limit the leadership of the party general chairman to a maximum of two terms of office.
The initiators of amendments 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) should complete Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre training levels and recorded in the political party’s financial reporting.
Political parties should implement Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre training levels and recorded in the political party’s financial reporting.
Political party financial reports should disclose individual donations consisting of donations from executive/legislative political party officials, ordinary members, and non-party members.
Eliminate sources of donations from business entities/companies. Donations from business entities/companies should be recorded as donations from individuals (beneficial ownership of the business entity) (implication: deletion of Article 35 paragraph (1) letter c).
The Ministry of Home Affairs should create an integrated political party financial reporting system with the national police reporting system that is accessible to the public.
It is necessary to add to Article 39 in the revision of Law 2 of 2011:
The management of Political Party finances as referred to in paragraph (1) is audited by a public accountant every 1 (one) year and integrated into the political party financial reporting system managed by the government (Ministry of Home Affairs) periodically every year.
It is necessary to add provisions for sanctions in Article 47 of Law 2 of 2011 regarding non-compliance of political parties in implementing Article 39 of Law 2 of 2011.
Revise Article 46 of Law No. 2 of 2011 by adding:
• The name of the institution given authority to supervise political parties.
• The scope of supervision includes party finances, cadre training, and political education.