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State Palace says Jokowi 'never even thought' of increasing presidential term limit
The State Palace has called the idea to increase the maximum number of presidential terms from two to three “counterproductive”.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (‘left’) talks with Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A.)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has never suggested increasing the maximum number of presidential terms through a constitutional amendment, according to the State Palace.
“The President has never even thought about it to this day,” Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said on Monday.
Pramono called the idea to increase the presidential term limit to three five-year terms from the current two ─ an idea that has been put forth at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) ─ “counterproductive” for Jokowi himself.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) senior politician said Jokowi rose to the presidency under a political system built in the post-1998 reform era. The system limits presidential power.
The current Constitution stipulates that a president and vice president may serve only two five-year terms in office, a maximum of 10 years.
"I'm sure that he [Jokowi] will stand by the existing rules,” Pramono said.
Previously, MPR deputy speakers said there were suggestions put forth by assembly members to amend the presidential term limit, including suggestions to increase the limit to three terms.
NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh, who backed Jokowi and now-vice president Ma’ruf Amin in the April election, has voiced his support for MPR members to consider the idea.
Surya said the assembly should listen to public responses to the possible amendment of the 1945 Constitution, including discourse over revising presidential term limits.
“Well, it’s just a discourse. Just do a follow-up and see how the public reacts to it. If there is a need, why not?” Surya said on Saturday. (dpk)
