NasDem Agrees with KPK Proposal on Presidential Candidates Requiring Party Cadre Status

NasDem Party Deputy Chairman Irma Suryani Chaniago has approved the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) proposal regarding presidential candidates (capres) needing to come from a political party’s cadre system, so that cadres have motivation and responsibility.

As a party cadre, she stated that career progression within the party would also encourage cadres to remain loyal to their party.

“Of course, as a party cadre, I agree,” said Irma in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday (23/4).

According to her, figures aspiring to become presidential or vice-presidential candidates must first join as political party cadres if they wish to receive support. This way, those figures would have moral responsibility towards their party.

In addition, she suggested that there should be cadre development for prospective general chairmen of political parties. However, she assessed that the proposal for general chairmen to serve only two terms would spark debate.

“However, it is best to have cadre development so that if something happens to the general chairman, the party can still survive,” she said.

Meanwhile, NasDem Party Secretary General Hermawi Taslim stated that his party already has a cadre system through the NasDem Academy of National Defence (ABN). Every year, he said, NasDem conducts tiered cadre development.

“Perhaps NasDem is one of the leading parties because from the beginning it has had the Academy of National Defence (ABN), which is the central crucible,” said Hermawi.

Previously, the KPK recommended revisions to Article 29 of the Political Parties Law (UU Parpol), for example, adding to Article 29 paragraph (1) letter a that political party members consist of young, intermediate, and senior members.

Then, regulate the requirements for cadres who become prospective members of the DPR or DPRD, for instance, prospective DPR members are senior party cadres. Meanwhile, prospective provincial DPRD members are intermediate cadres.

In addition, requirements for presidential and vice-presidential candidates or head and deputy head of regional candidates, besides being democratic and open, need to include a clause that they come from the party cadre system.

The KPK also proposed amending Article 29 of the UU Parpol to regulate the minimum time requirement for joining a political party before being nominated in general elections.