Political Parties' Responses to KPK Recommendation for Presidential Candidates from Party Cadre System
The KPK has released the results of a study on political party governance aimed at preventing corruption from figures with party backgrounds. It produced 16 recommendation points, one of which pushes for regulations requiring prospective presidential/vice-presidential/regional head/deputy regional head candidates to come from the party cadre system.
Currently, there is no such requirement in the nomination of presidential/vice-presidential candidates by parties in elections. The anti-corruption agency’s recommendation has elicited responses from several political parties and Anies Baswedan, a figure known as a 2024 presidential candidate who is not a party member.
The issue of presidential candidates going through party cadre systems is in point 5. Here are the 16 KPK recommendation points:
The initiators of amendments 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 on the obligation to report political education activities, including activities, participants, objectives, and outputs, conducted by political parties funded by government financial assistance.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to revise Ministerial Regulation No. 36 of 2018 and No. 36 of 2010 to regulate the curriculum material for political education as a reference for political parties.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to develop an integrated reporting system regarding the implementation of political education conducted by the government or political parties. This aligns with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ duties and functions in general guidance on domestic politics and democracy (Article 117 of Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2025).
The preparation of curriculum material and integrated reporting system by the Ministry of Home Affairs as part of its supervisory duties 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 becoming prospective DPR/DPRD candidates clearly stated and tiered in the law in Article 29 paragraph (1a). For example: DPR candidates from senior cadres, provincial DPRD candidates 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 that they come from the party cadre system.
• Add a minimum time limit for joining the party to be nominated by the party.
The Ministry of Home Affairs to develop standardisation and an integrated reporting system for political party cadre development with the National Police.
Encourage political parties to implement the Constitutional Court Decision No. 60/PUU-XXII/2024 on the minimum threshold for regional elections through candidate recruitment based on cadre development.
To ensure cadre development runs effectively, regulate the term limit for party general chair to a maximum of 2 periods of tenure.
The initiators of amendments 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 tiers and recorded in the party’s financial reporting.
Political parties to implement Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre tiers and recorded in the party’s financial reporting.
Political party financial reports to disclose individual donations consisting of donations from executive/legislative party official members, ordinary members, and non-party members.
Eliminate donation sources from business entities/companies. Donations from business entities/companies to be recorded as donations from individuals (beneficial ownership of the business entity) (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 National Police reporting system that is accessible to 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) shall be 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.
Revise Article 46 of Law No. 2 of 2011 to include:
• The name of the institution given authority to supervise political parties.
• The scope of supervision covering party finances, cadre development, and political education.
Golkar
The KPK’s recommendation received a response from Golkar Party Secretary General Sarmuji. Sarmuji believes the political recruitment process must still provide broad opportunities for potential figures outside the party.
“Regarding presidential and vice-presidential candidates, the KPK must understand that those we recruit are prospective leaders of the nation,” said Sarmuji to reporters on Thursday (23/4/2026).
“The best people must be given space to become presidential and vice-presidential candidates,” he added.
This Golkar DPR RI Faction Chair said the presence of party cadres as candidates would be an added value. However, according to him, if there are the best figures outside the party, they must still be accommodated.
Furthermore, Sarmuji also responded to the proposal regarding the term of office for party general chairs to a maximum of 2 periods. He said what is more important is ensuring healthy internal party democracy.
“Actually, what is more important is the existence of internal democracy that guarantees the process in the party runs healthily so that power does not concentrate on one person,” he stated.
PDIP
PDIP DPP Chairman Ganjar Pranowo responded to the KPK’s proposal. According to him, cadre development is important, but its implementation is not easy.
“Actually, the Political Parties Law already regulates the use of political assistance funds. 60% for political education and 40% for secretariat administration