PAN Asks KPK Not to Interfere in Party Leader's Term Limits

Deputy Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Saleh Daulay, stated that the regulation of a political party’s general chairman’s term is the authority of the party leadership itself. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has proposed limiting the general chairman’s term to two periods. “The KPK is expected not to interfere in the technical matters within political parties. Because political parties are political institutions that already have their Articles of Association/Bylaws (AD/ART) as guidelines and internal legal basis for activities. If regulated further, it is feared it will cause noise and uproar,” he said in a written statement quoted on Friday, 24 April 2026. According to the Chairman of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, there are many options for the term of the top party leadership. Whether one period, two periods, or up to three periods, with supporting reasons behind them. He rejected the KPK’s idea because parties might desire an individual to lead for more than two terms. “Regarding the general chairman, let it be decided internally. If everyone agrees to more than two periods, then go ahead. If there is a desire for limitation, that’s good too. The important thing is that it is included in the AD/ART so it can serve as a legal foundation,” he stated. Meanwhile, PAN is led by Zulkifli Hasan, who has served three consecutive terms since 2015. The leadership of the Coordinating Minister for Food has broken history as a chairman serving more than two periods. “So far, it has been like this. There are no issues. It runs well, safely, and orderly. Of course, it is acknowledged that there are some who have different views and thoughts. That’s perfectly fine and must be respected,” Saleh said. Although appreciating the KPK’s proposal, he stated that all emerging ideas must be based on creating broad and significant benefits for society. He believes that the KPK should focus on preventing corruption and law enforcement. “Moreover, the KPK should not get involved in this matter. Just focus on prevention and law enforcement. The rest, let other institutions handle it,” said the former Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Youth Association. This proposal emerged from a study by the KPK’s Monitoring Directorate. The study found at least four issues in party governance. The four points are the absence of a roadmap for political education implementation, integrated cadre system standards, financial reporting systems, and oversight institutions. The anti-corruption agency also formulated several recommendations for improving party governance. One of them is through revisions to Law Number 2 of 2011 on Political Parties, particularly Article 29 on political recruitment. The study proposes a limit on the leadership periods of political party general chairmen. “To ensure the implementation of cadre development, regulation of the general chairman’s leadership limit to a maximum of two periods of management is needed,” the KPK report stated on 20 April 2026.