Reasons Behind KPK's Proposal for Two-Term Limit on Political Party Leaders
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has proposed limiting the leadership term of political party chairmen to two periods. This proposal aims to encourage cadre development within political parties.
The study was conducted by the KPK in 2025 through its Monitoring Directorate. The KPK identified four areas needing improvement in Indonesia’s political party system and provided 16 recommendations.
“To ensure the implementation of cadre development, regulations are needed to limit the leadership of party chairmen to a maximum of two terms of office,” states one of the recommendations from the KPK study, quoted by detikcom on Thursday (23/4/2026).
In addition, the KPK recommends amendments to Article 29 of Law No. 2 of 2011 on Political Parties, including adding requirements that presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as regional heads, must come from party cadres.
“Requirements for prospective presidential/vice-presidential/regional head/deputy regional head candidates, in addition to being democratic and open, should include a clause originating from the party’s cadre development system,” writes the KPK.
To Prevent Corruption
Meanwhile, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the study serves as a preventive measure because the political sector is prone to corruption. The study’s findings were derived from a diagnosis of areas vulnerable to corruption.
“Indeed, this is also based on findings from the KPK’s study, for example, regarding cadre development in political parties, which became one of the aspects and substances or materials in the study,” said Budi to reporters today.
The study was conducted because the KPK believes political costs in Indonesia remain high, potentially leading to corruption. The study involved political parties.
“Of course, because the study involved many elements, including colleagues from political parties who also provided suggestions and input for improving the political system in Indonesia,” he said.
KPK’s Recommendation Points
Here are the 16 recommendation points from the KPK’s study on political party governance:
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) should 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 should revise Ministry of Home Affairs Regulation No. 36 of 2018 and No. 36 of 2010 to regulate the curriculum content for political education as a reference for political parties.
The Ministry of Home Affairs should develop an integrated reporting system for 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 Ministry of Home Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2025).
The preparation of curriculum content and an integrated reporting system by the Ministry of Home Affairs should be part of its supervisory duties as per the revision of Article 46 of Law No. 2 of 2008.
It is necessary 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 party members consist of young, intermediate, and senior members.
• Requirements for cadres becoming prospective DPR/DPRD candidates should be clearly specified and tiered in the law under 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, should include a clause originating from the party’s cadre development system.
• Add a minimum time requirement for joining the party to be nominated by the party.
The Ministry of Home Affairs should develop standardisation and an integrated reporting system for political party cadre development with the National Police.
Encourage political parties to implement Constitutional Court Decision No. 60/PUU-XXII/2024 on the minimum threshold for regional elections through candidate recruitment based on cadre development.
To ensure the implementation of cadre development, regulations are needed to limit the leadership of party chairmen to a maximum of two terms of office.
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) should complete Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre levels and recording them in the party’s financial reports.
Political parties should implement Article 34 paragraph (1) letter a by implementing member dues with amounts based on cadre levels and recording them in the party’s financial reports.
Political party financial reports should disclose individual donations consisting of donations from executive/legislative party official members, ordinary members, and non-party members.
Eliminate donations from business entities/companies. Donations from business entities/companies should 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 should create an integrated financial reporting system for political parties with the National Police reporting system that is accessible to the public.
It is necessary 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 government’s political party financial reporting system (Ministry of Home Affairs) periodically every year.
It is necessary to add provisions for sanctions in Article 47 of Law 2 of 2011 regarding non-compliance by 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 granted authority to supervise political parties.
• The scope of supervision covering party finances, cadre development, and political education.