Jakarta – The United Development Party (PPP) has suggested an amendment to the 1945 Constitution and the reintroduction of the stipulation that requires both the President and Vice President of Indonesia to be of "Indonesian origin", namely Indonesian citizens who are not descendants of "foreign" people.
The suggestion aims to return Article 6 paragraph (i) of the 1945 Constitution to its original form prior its amendment, to stipulate that the only eligible candidates for the country's top positions are those who are genuine descendants of the Indonesian race. Candidates born to Indonesian and foreign parents, even though they are Indonesian citizens, would not be eligible.
"As a consequence [foreign-born people] are not included under the definition of 'Indonesian origins'. However, they can still serve in the government in other positions, but not as President or Vice President," PPP secretary general Arsul Sani said, as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.
Arsul said the details on the definition of "Indonesian origin", including deciding the line of descent, could be further stipulated in other related laws, such as the law on general elections or the law on the presidential institution. The plan would be further studied by the PPP in collaboration with various stakeholders, he added.
The suggested amendment was first introduced by PPP chair Muhammad Romahurmuziy during the PPP national work meeting (Mukernas) on Monday. Romahurmuziy said reintroducing the term "Indonesian origin" as a main requirement for President and Vice President was important "to guard the country's spirit of nationalism." (evi)