Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has reaffirmed that the Indonesian government has no plans to change the mechanism for electing the president and vice president, dismissing speculation that the system could shift from direct popular elections to selection by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"There is no intention or discussion to change the presidential election system, for example, to have the president elected by the DPR or the MPR," Prasetyo said at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Prasetyo said the government has coordinated with the House of Representatives (DPR) on preparations for revisions to the General Election Law, which governs Indonesia's electoral framework, including the presidential election system.

He stressed that the ongoing legislative process does not include any proposal to alter the direct election model.

His remarks echoed statements by DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who also rejected claims that the revision of the General Election Law would reinstate presidential elections through the MPR.

Earlier on Monday, Prasetyo attended a closed-door meeting with Dasco and the chair of the DPR's Commission II, Muhammad Rifqinizamy Karyasuda.

"In the revision of the General Election Law, the president will continue to be elected directly by the people," Dasco said at the Parliament Complex later that day.

Dasco, who also serves as secretary general of the Gerindra Party, said discussions on the General Election Law would focus on implementing recent Constitutional Court rulings.

He added that political parties would draft their respective proposals in line with the Court's decisions.

Separately, Commission II chair Rifqinizamy Karyasuda said his commission had no intention of debating a return to MPR-based presidential elections. He emphasized that both the government and the legislature remain committed to Indonesia's constitutional democracy.

Rifqinizamy also said Commission II would ensure public participation in future deliberations on revisions to the General Election Law.

– Novali Panji and Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2081479/indonesian-govt-denies-plans-to-change-presidential-election-syste