PAN Responds to Surya Paloh: Sporting and High-Quality Elections Are Everyone's Ideal

The Deputy Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Saleh Partaonan Daulay, has responded to a statement by NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh, who said he did not mind the electoral model for 2029 as long as it was conducted in a sporting manner. Saleh agreed with Surya Paloh.

‘Mr Surya Paloh is right. Everyone wants to compete properly and honestly. Democracy must not only be procedural, but also substantial,’ Saleh told reporters on Friday (24/7/2026).

‘Sporting conduct and improving the quality of election results are everyone’s ideal,’ he added.

Saleh even stated that all election participants would naturally direct their thoughts and energy towards sporting conduct and quality results. According to him, all political parties already have the aspiration to perfect the current election regulations.

Furthermore, Saleh said the public also has an interest in creating honest and good elections. He noted that good election results are a guarantee of good leadership continuity.

‘Therefore, the public and community organisations are expected to contribute to the drafting of the Election Law,’ he said.

For the 2029 Election, Saleh expressed hope that all parties qualifying to participate must be treated equally, with none left behind. He argued that the space for participation must be opened equally and that existing legal rules must be implemented fairly and evenly.

‘That is what we must safeguard together. The existing parties must ensure this from the discussion of the Election Law. Do not think only of short-term interests, but lay the foundations of an advanced democratic state for the future of the nation and the country,’ he said.

Surya Paloh’s Statement

As previously reported, Surya Paloh responded to the ongoing discussion of the Election Bill. He admitted he had no issue with any electoral model or system for the future, as long as the competition is conducted in a sporting manner.

‘This is where I always remind everyone of one thing we must not take for granted, namely the sporting conduct of election participants and organisers. So, we are ready for any kind of contest in the competition. But what is the meaning of that competition if we do not respect the values of sporting conduct that should be upheld?’ Paloh said.