NasDem Proposes 7% Parliamentary Threshold; PSI: We Hope They're Not Digging Their Own Grave

NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh has proposed raising the parliamentary threshold to 7 per cent. PSI daily chairman Ahmad Ali expressed hope that NasDem’s proposal is not intended to obstruct newer parties.

“PSI truly respects all input and ideas put forward by political parties, especially from NasDem, which has proposed a 7 per cent threshold. We hope this is not a mindset or spirit aimed at blocking new parties, right?” Ali told reporters on Tuesday (24/2/2026).

Ali said the spirit of nation-building should not be degraded by such thinking. He hoped the proposal would not become a boomerang for NasDem in 2029.

“The true spirit of building this nation should not be degraded by Surya Paloh’s thinking. The rallying cries that Surya Paloh has been making all this time should not contradict this spirit. But for me, this is also a warning for NasDem. We hope NasDem is not digging its own grave for 2029,” he said.

Ali stated that PSI is not worried about any proposed parliamentary threshold figure. He said PSI has prepared for all possibilities and will be more adaptive.

“For us, whether it’s 4 per cent, 3 per cent, or 7 per cent, it’s not a concern. Because we are preparing ourselves — we have already prepared this party to be adaptive to whatever possibilities may come,” he said.

Ali then spoke about the mandate of the reform era, which provided the widest possible opportunities for political parties. He referenced the Constitutional Court’s decision to abolish the presidential threshold.

“There were only three political parties during the New Order era. Then came the reform movement, and the mandate of reform gave the widest possible space for political parties,” Ali said.

“So if you ask what’s ideal for us, we would certainly like to see the spirit of the Constitutional Court in eliminating the presidential threshold requirement. We can interpret this as the Court not wanting to restrict political parties from nominating candidates or participating in elections. If that is the case, then all political parties should not be constrained by a parliamentary threshold either,” he added.

Surya Paloh had previously stated that NasDem would remain consistent in pushing for the parliamentary threshold to be raised to 7 per cent. Paloh argued that a 7 per cent threshold would be far more effective.

“I think NasDem should just remain consistent on this. Unless there are very significant changes. In any case, NasDem honestly believes that if we can shift from a multiparty system to a selected party system, it would be far more effective — both for maintaining governmental stability and for implementing the benefits of the democratic freedoms we possess,” Paloh said at NasDem Tower in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (21/2).

Paloh then raised the issue of the large number of political parties, questioning the purpose of democracy if it does not deliver tangible benefits.

“This should give us pause for reflection. We have been too delighted with the proliferation of political parties in the name of democracy itself. But on the other hand, what is the point of democracy if it does not bring real benefits and consistency towards our shared aspirations of independence? Capability, effectiveness, reasoning, intellectualism, and morality must move ever closer towards our common goals,” he said.