PKB Legislator Criticises KPK's Proposal for Term Limits on Political Party Leaders

Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, Muhammad Khozin, assessed that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has exceeded its authority by proposing a limit of two terms for the tenure of political party chairmen. According to him, the proposal has no legal basis. “The KPK’s proposal is not based on law and exceeds its authority,” said Khozin in a written statement on Friday, 24 April 2026.

According to him, the KPK did not consider the Constitutional Court (MK) decision regarding the tenure of political party chairmen on 12 November 2026. Constitutional Court Decision Number 194/PUU-XXIII/2025 rejected the request for limiting the tenure of party chairmen.

The case was filed by advocate Imran Mahfudi, testing Law Number 2 of 2008 juncto Law Number 2 of 2011 on Political Parties. In its decision, the MK rejected the petition in its entirety. The MK affirmed that the regulation of the tenure of party chairmen is an internal party domain regulated in the Articles of Association and Bylaws (AD/ART), not by law.

Khozin emphasised that the MK decision is final and binding. Nevertheless, he understands that the KPK’s proposal aims to encourage cadre development. However, he claimed that the cadre development process in political parties is already underway. “Because cadre development is the lifeblood and heart of political parties,” he said.

In a separate opportunity, the Secretary General of the NasDem Party, Hermawi Taslim, described the issue of party leadership tenure as a complex matter. “Party leadership matters are certainly not as simple as analysed by the KPK,” said Hermawi.

He explained that there are many considerations in determining that a figure continues to serve as party chairman. Hermawi also touched on the cadre development system within his party. He claimed that NasDem has one of the best cadre education systems through the Academy of State Defence (ABN). “This is the central crucible for tiered cadre development of the NasDem Party,” he stated.

According to him, cadre development in NasDem is conducted in tiers every year, from the central level at the 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.

Previously, a study by the KPK’s Directorate of Monitoring found at least four issues in political party governance, namely the absence of a roadmap for political education, the lack of an integrated cadre development system standard, weak financial reporting systems, and the suboptimal supervisory institutions.

The KPK then formulated several improvement recommendations, one of which is through revisions to Law Number 2 of 2011 on Political Parties, particularly Article 29 regarding political recruitment.

In the study, the KPK also proposed limiting the tenure of party chairmen. “To ensure cadre development runs effectively, regulation of the leadership limit for party chairmen to a maximum of two terms of management is needed,” stated the KPK report on 20 April 2026.