TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
PDI-P opposes requirement of "Indonesian origins" for President, VP
Change Size
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary general Ahmad Basarah speaks to journalists. (tribunnews.com/Ferdinand Waskita)
I
ndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Ahmad Basarah has opposed the effort to reinstate “Indonesian origins” as a requirement for presidential and vice presidential candidates as proposed by the United Development Party (PPP).
He said that such a requirement was discrimination.
He responded to the recent suggestion from the United Development Party (PPP), who wants to return Article 6, paragraph (i), of the 1945 Constitution to its original form prior to its amendment, ruling that eligible candidates for the country's top positions must be of Indonesian origins (orang Indonesia asli).
"The proposal is ahistorical, and it contradicts the nation's legal standing, which aims to eradicate discrimination in all forms, especially SARA (discrimination based upon ethnicity, religion, race and social group)," Ahmad said.
Besides, looking back at Indonesian history, Ahmad said, foreign descents, including Chinese and Arab people, helped the founding fathers in drafting the country's ideology of Pancasila and in fighting for independence.
Therefore, such a restrictive requirement would not be proper, he said.
"If we comply with PPP's proposal, it means [prominent] figures such as Anis Baswedan, Alwi Shihab, Kwik Kian Gie, Jaya Suprana and others [who have foreign heritage] would not be eligible to run as President of Indonesia," he added. (bbn)
