PKB on Proposal for Presidential Candidates from Party Cadres: Interesting, Will Strengthen Political Parties
PKB Secretary-General Hasanuddin Wahid, or Cak Udin, responded to the KPK’s proposal regarding the obligation for a cadre system for prospective presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Cak Udin assessed the KPK’s idea as interesting and potentially strengthening the position of political parties.
“Regarding presidential and vice-presidential candidates having to be party cadres, that is an interesting thought and will strengthen the position of parties while encouraging parties to strengthen their cadre systems and political education, to produce leaders capable of filling public positions well in the executive and legislative branches at all levels,” said Cak Udin to reporters on Thursday (23/4/2026).
“This will also strengthen the institutionalisation of democracy and political parties in the country,” he added.
In addition, Cak Udin responded to the KPK’s proposal regarding limiting the term of office of party general chairmen to two periods. He stated that the main focus should not be on limiting leadership terms.
“The concern should not be term limitations, but the institutionalisation of democratic mechanisms and a healthy party meritocracy system, because limitations do not guarantee that corrupt behaviour can be minimised,” he said.
Cak Udin stated that every party needs to be encouraged to have a democratic recruitment system and selection mechanism in accordance with each party’s characteristics.
“So it’s not about term limitations but encouraging all political parties to have democratic recruitment mechanisms and selection systems in accordance with the nature and characteristics of those political parties,” he added.
It is known that the KPK provided 16 points of recommendations from the study on political party governance. The matter of presidential candidates having to go through party cadre systems is in point 5. Here are the 16 points of KPK recommendations:
The initiators of changes to Law No. 2 of 2011 (Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Human Rights) and the DPR (Commission II and Legislative Body) to complete Article 34 by adding a clause regarding the obligation to report political education activities covering activities, participants, objectives, and outputs carried out by political parties funded by government financial assistance.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to revise Ministry of Home Affairs Regulation No. 36 of 2018 and 36 of 2010 to regulate the curriculum material for political education as a reference for political parties.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to compile an integrated reporting system regarding the implementation of political education carried out by the government or political parties. This is in accordance with the duties and functions of the Ministry of Home Affairs as general guidance in the field of domestic political administration and democracy (Article 117 of Ministry of Home Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2025).
The preparation of curriculum material and integrated reporting system by the Ministry of Home Affairs to become part of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ duties as a supervisor in accordance with the revision of Article 46 of Law No. 2 of 2008.
The need to add to the revision of Article 29 of Law No. 2 of 2011:
• Regarding political party membership in Article 29 Paragraph (1) letter a, add that political party members consist of young, intermediate, and senior members.
• Requirements for cadres who become prospective DPR/DPRD candidates are clearly stated and tiered in the law in Article 29 paragraph (1a). For example: DPR candidates come from senior cadres, provincial DPRD candidates come from intermediate cadres.
• Requirements for prospective presidential/vice-presidential/regional head/deputy regional head candidates, in addition to being democratic and open, add a clause originating from the party cadre system.
• Add a minimum time requirement for joining the party to be nominated by the party.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare standardisation and an integrated party cadre reporting system with banpol.
Encouraging political parties to implement the Constitutional Court Decision No. 60/PUU-XXII/2024 on the minimum threshold for regional head elections through candidate recruitment based on cadre systems.
To ensure the cadre system runs, regulation is needed to limit the leadership of the party general chairman to a maximum of 2 periods of tenure.
The initiators of changes to Law No. 2 of 2011 (Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Human Rights) and the DPR (Commission II and Legislative Body) to complete Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre levels and recorded in political party financial reports.
Political parties to implement Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre levels and recorded in political party financial reports.
Political party financial reports to disclose individual donations consisting of donations from executive/legislative party official members, ordinary members, and non-party members.
Eliminate the source of donations from business entities/companies. Donations originating from business entities/companies are recorded as donations originating from individuals (beneficial ownership of business entities) (implication: deletion of Article 35 paragraph (1) letter c).
The Ministry of Home Affairs to create an integrated political party financial reporting system with the banpol reporting system that can be accessed by the public.
Need to add to Article 39 in the revision of Law 2 of 2011:
The management of Political Party finances as referred to in paragraph (1) is audited by a public accountant every 1 (one) year and integrated into the political party financial reporting system managed by the government (Ministry of Home Affairs) periodically every year.
Need to add provisions for sanctions in Article 47 of Law 2 of 2011 regarding non-compliance of political parties in implementing Article 39 of Law 2 of 2011.
Revision of Article 46 of Law No. 2 of 2011 to be completed with:
• The name of the institution given authority to supervise political parties.
• The scope of supervision includes party finances, cadre systems, and political education.