NasDem Proposes Formula for Parliamentary Threshold

The NasDem Party, through Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI, Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, has put forth a significant proposal to reform Indonesia's electoral system by extending the parliamentary threshold to regional levels. Currently, the threshold applies only to national legislative elections. NasDem argues that applying it to provincial, regency, and city elections would foster stronger political parties and a more robust democratic landscape.

NasDem's proposal involves two potential formulas: a tiered threshold, where different percentages apply to national, provincial, and local elections (e.g., 6% national, 5% provincial, 4% local), or a single threshold with cascading consequences. Under the latter, if a party fails to meet the national threshold, its votes at lower levels would be invalidated. This move is intended to consolidate the party system, ensuring that only parties with substantial and widespread support can gain representation, thereby leading to a more effective and stable government.

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Kami mengusulkan parliamentary threshold itu harus berlaku bukan hanya di tingkat nasional tapi juga di tingkat provinsi, kabupaten/kota

The rationale behind this push, as explained by Rifqi, is to build a government composed of 'healthy' political parties. Such parties, he contends, are better equipped to fulfill their dual roles: supporting the government while also providing effective checks and balances as the opposition. This contrasts with the current system, which NasDem believes can lead to fragmentation and inefficiency.

From an Indonesian perspective, this proposal by NasDem is part of an ongoing debate about electoral reform aimed at improving governance. While Western democracies often have different systems, Indonesia's multi-party system grapples with issues of representation versus governability. Tempo's reporting highlights that other parties, like Golkar, have also proposed adjustments to the threshold, indicating a broader discussion within the political elite. NasDem's specific angle, however, emphasizes strengthening parties from the grassroots up, reflecting a desire for a more structured and less fragmented political environment that prioritizes effective policy implementation and stable governance, a key concern for many Indonesians.

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Karena itu dia mampu memerankan dirinya baik sebagai partai pemerintah maupun partai untuk non pemerintah agar melakukan checks and balances