PDIP, NasDem, and PKB's Statements on Limiting Party Leaders' Terms

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has proposed limiting the terms of party chairmen to a maximum of two periods. This proposal is one of the recommendations for improving political party governance. The improvements could be implemented through revisions to Law No. 2 of 2011 on Political Parties.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that in conducting this study, the KPK involved political parties to obtain objective input. He said the proposal also emerged from party cadres involved by the KPK. “Objectively factual from the point of view of our friends in political parties, so it does not come from just one or two perspectives,” he said.

The proposal has received responses from several political parties. PDI Perjuangan views it as the KPK overstepping its authority. PKB considers the proposal not a solution to minimising corruption. Meanwhile, NasDem sees corruption as a complex issue.

Here are the responses from several parties:

PDI Perjuangan

PDI Perjuangan spokesperson Guntur Romli views the proposal as exceeding the KPK’s authority or ultra vires to the KPK’s duties. “This means the KPK has gone beyond its main duties and functions (tupoksi),” said Guntur Romli in a written statement to Tempo on Thursday, 23 April 2026.

Guntur said the KPK should focus on law enforcement and prevention of corruption related to state officials and state financial losses in accordance with the KPK Law.

According to him, dealing with the internal affairs of political parties, which legally are civil society organisations, could be seen as going too far. He believes the KPK should focus on fixing the weakening enforcement system or improving the declining corruption perception index, rather than entering the realm of internal political organisations.

Guntur also opines that the proposal is juridically unconstitutional. Because political parties are legal entities with internal autonomy as voluntary organisations. He emphasises that the proposal contradicts the principle of freedom of association and assembly in the Constitution or Article 28E paragraph 3 of the 1945 Constitution.

The proposal also contradicts Article 2 paragraph 1, Article 5 paragraph 1, Article 15 paragraph 1 of Law No. 2 of 2011 on Political Parties, which gives party members the right to determine their own leadership mechanisms through the party’s bylaws/articles of association.

“State intervention (through KPK recommendations) on party leaders’ terms can be seen as harming the independence of parties and the freedom of association guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.

PKB

General Secretary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Hasanuddin Wahid views the proposal as not a comprehensive solution. “Because limiting the chairman’s term does not guarantee that corrupt behaviour can be minimised,” he said in his statement on Thursday, 23 April 2026.

According to Hasanuddin, the KPK should focus more on highlighting improvements to the party institutional system. This includes mechanisms for recruitment to the election of the chairman that are more democratic and based on meritocracy.

“So not term limits, but encouraging all political parties to have recruitment mechanisms and democratic election systems in accordance with the nature and characteristics of each party,” said Hasanuddin.

Each party, he said, has its own cadre-building system that suits their respective visions and missions. “What needs to be strengthened is how political parties can consistently carry out tiered cadre-building,” said Hasanuddin.

NasDem

NasDem Party General Secretary Hermawi Taslim said that internal party leadership matters are complex issues. “Leadership matters in the party are certainly not as simple as studied by the KPK,” said Hermawi.

According to Hermawi, there are various considerations for a party figure being elected as chairman. “There are many considerations and variants for a figure being retained by a party,” he said.

In addition, Hermawi also discussed the cadre-building system within the party. He claims NasDem is one of the parties with the best cadre education process. Because they have the NasDem State Defence Academy. “Which is the central forge for tiered cadre-building of the NasDem Party,” said Hermawi.

NasDem, said Hermawi, conducts tiered cadre-building every year from the central level at ABN to the district level. “The frequency varies depending on the available budget, whether from Banpol (Political Party Financial Assistance) or internal capabilities,” he said.