Surya Paloh Proposes Parliamentary Threshold Increase to 7 Per Cent

The General Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, has proposed that the parliamentary threshold (PT) be increased to 7 per cent amidst the ongoing discussions regarding the revision of the General Election Law.

According to Paloh, NasDem’s stance is to encourage a higher threshold to ensure that political parties in parliament are better selected, thereby promoting democratic effectiveness. However, he also ensured that NasDem remains open to discussions with other parties to find an ideal figure.

“For us, a selected group of parties is clearly more effective for our democracy than a multi-party system,” said Surya Palting after hosting the visit of Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at NasDem Tower, Jakarta, on Saturday.

Furthermore, he expressed that NasDem is willing to propose this figure even though the party’s current survey results sit around 4 per cent. Despite the possibility that NasDem might fail to secure seats in the legislature, he maintained that the proposal is a way of prioritising national interests over party interests.

“To be honest, that is my wish as the General Chairman of the NasDem Party. But whatever the result, the majority vote will decide,” he said.

He also noted that there is still plenty of time for the discussions regarding the revision of the Election Law. However, he believes it would be better if the law could be finalised this year, as elections are a strategic matter.

“I believe one of the legislative products we must prioritise is the election law, rather than various other laws,” he added.

Previously, several political parties have expressed diverse views regarding the proposed parliamentary threshold figure in the Draft Election Law (RUU Pemilu).

The General Secretary of the Gerindra Party, Sugiono, stated that his party agrees with a parliamentary threshold of 5 per cent in the discussions regarding the revision of the Election Law.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Komarudin Watubun, stated that a 5 per cent threshold is the ideal figure to achieve the simplification of political parties.

Meanwhile, the Deputy General Chairman of PAN, Viva Yoga Mauladi, expressed objections to raising the parliamentary threshold above 4 per cent, as it could potentially conflict with the Constitutional Court (MK) ruling.