PPI Chief: Zero Parliamentary Threshold Far More Democratic, People's Vote Preserved

NasDem has proposed increasing the parliamentary threshold to 7 per cent. The Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia (PPI), Adi Prayitno, believes that if the parliamentary threshold were abolished, democracy would advance much further. “A zero threshold would be far more democratic because it would not invalidate the people’s votes. The parliamentary threshold is, in essence, very unjust from a democratic perspective, as so many people’s votes are wasted,” said Adi Prayitno when contacted on Wednesday (25 February 2026). Adi then spoke about the large number of votes lost in the votes of non-parliamentary parties. He said that these lost votes also represent the aspirations of the people, which are part of democracy. “So, the votes of non-parliamentary parties are lost because of the threshold. In fact, the people who vote for parties that are declared to have failed to pass the parliamentary threshold are also citizens; they have aspirations,” he said. Proposal for a 7% Parliamentary Threshold Surya Paloh previously stated that NasDem would remain consistent in pushing for the parliamentary threshold to be increased to 7 per cent. Paloh believes that a 7 per cent threshold would be much more effective. “I think NasDem should remain consistent on this. Unless there are significant changes, of course. In any case, NasDem believes that, honestly, from a multi-party system, if we could change to a selected party system, it would be much more effective. To maintain government stability and also for the implementation of the benefits of the freedom of democracy that we have,” said Surya Paloh at NasDem Tower, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (21 February). Paloh then alluded to the large number of political parties. Paloh questioned what the point of democracy is if it does not bring benefits. “So, it could be a matter for reflection for us. We are too happy with the large number of political parties in the name of democracy itself. But on the other hand, what is the point of democracy if it does not bring benefits and consistency in our pursuit of the ideals of independence that we have? Ability, effectiveness, rationality, intellectuality, and morality must move much closer to and towards our common goals,” he said. (azh/jbr)