Presidential and Regional Candidates Should Be Party Cadres, KPK: Study Based on Current Conditions
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed the reasons for proposing that candidates for president, vice president, and regional heads must originate from political party (parpol) cadres. The KPK stated that this proposal arises from observing the current situation and conditions.
“For now, we of course still refer to the applicable constitution. So the KPK’s study is in the nature of a policy brief, a study that captures a certain condition, then diagnoses what the problems are from that condition,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Monday (27/4/2026).
Nevertheless, Budi assured that the KPK is always open if there are parties interested in conducting further discussions on this proposal. Budi stated that the discussions would not be limited solely to presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and regional head candidates who must go through party cadres, but also for other matters.
“Of course, the KPK is open to opportunities to discuss further, to delve deeper into the results and recommendations of that study because this also applies to several other strategic sector studies that the KPK conducts,” Budi explained.
The KPK’s proposal on this matter has already received responses from several parties. One of them comes from Anies Baswedan’s side. Anies’ spokesperson, Angga Putra Fidrian, assessed that democracy must still open wide spaces for all groups.
“Regarding the proposal for presidential and vice-presidential candidates to come from party cadres, democracy must open opportunities for the nation’s best young people from within or outside political parties,” Angga said to reporters on Thursday (23/4).
He said that political parties are indeed the entry point in the democratic system. However, he stated, that should not become an obstacle for citizens to advance as leaders.
“Parties as entry points but should not limit the nation’s children from becoming national leaders,” he said.
“More importantly, the recruitment process and transparency must be the main concerns, especially regarding high political costs,” he added.
In addition, he assessed that the electoral system also needs to provide space for new parties so that political cadres can develop more broadly. He emphasised that there should be no restrictions on parties.
“The electoral system must also provide space for new parties so that the space for political cadres becomes broader. Don’t let parties be restricted and complicated, as that will only worsen our political situation,” he revealed.
Nevertheless, Angga appreciated the proposal from the KPK. According to him, the proposal is part of the broader anti-corruption agenda.
“Appreciation to the KPK for providing input on improving political parties as part of the major anti-corruption agenda,” he said.