PKB: Limiting party leaders' terms does not guarantee prevention of corruption

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Awakening Party (PKB) views that if the proposal to regulate the limitation of party leaders’ terms to a maximum of two periods of tenure is implemented, it does not necessarily guarantee a reduction in corrupt behaviour.

“Limitations do not guarantee that corrupt behaviour can be minimised,” said the Secretary-General of the PKB Central Executive Board, M. Hasanuddin Wahid, when contacted by ANTARA from Jakarta on Thursday.

Meanwhile, he assessed that what should be the current focus is the institutionalisation of democratic mechanisms and a healthy meritocracy system in political parties.

“So, it is not about limiting periods, but rather encouraging all political parties to have recruitment mechanisms and democratic selection systems in accordance with the nature and characteristics of the respective parties,” he said.

Previously, the proposal regarding the regulation of limiting party leaders’ terms to a maximum of two periods of tenure was put forward by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as part of corruption prevention efforts.

Therefore, in its study, the KPK proposed improvements to the party cadre system to suppress such costs, while also preventing attempts to recoup political investments by individuals who join a political party and become cadres due to certain political expenses.

Furthermore, to support the smooth running of good cadre development, the KPK proposed dividing party members into youth, intermediate, and senior members.

In addition, there was a KPK proposal that candidates for DPR members must be senior party cadres, while candidates for Provincial DPRD members must be intermediate cadres.

To support improvements in cadre development, the KPK also proposed regulations on the term limits for party leaders up to a maximum of two periods of tenure.