Bamsoet Ensures The MPR Does Not Change The Rules To Extend The Presidential Office For 3 Periods

Chairman of the MPR Bambang Soesatyo (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet), confirmed that his agency would not change the rules to extend the term of office of the president-vice president to three terms. Bamsoet emphasized that there has been no discussion regarding changes to the 1945 Constitution.

"As an institution that has the authority to change and stipulate the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, the MPR has never conducted any discussions to change Article 7 of the 1945 NRI Constitution," said Bamsoet in his statement, Monday, March 15.

According to him, the election for a maximum term of two terms has been carried out with a variety of careful considerations, just like democracy in the United States.

Moreover, said Bamsoet, President Joko Widodo had long ago emphasized that he did not intend either personally or from government circles to question the 3 periods.

"The maximum two-term limitation is carried out so that Indonesia can avoid an indefinite presidential term, as has happened in the past. As well as ensuring the regeneration of national leadership can be carried out properly. So that the leadership baton can run continuously. It does not stop at one person only," he explained.

The former chairman of the House of Representative (DPR) reminded the public to be aware of the issue of extending the presidential term to three terms. Do not let, he said, the issue be fried into a matter of national strife and division.

"Political stability that is well preserved, which is the key to successful development, should not be disturbed by propaganda and agitation for the extension of the presidency," said the senior Golkar politician.

In accordance with Article 37 paragraph 3 of the 1945 Constitution: To amend articles of the Constitution, the People's Consultative Assembly Session is attended by at least 2/3 of the total members of the People's Consultative Assembly.

After all the material has been discussed and approved by the MPR Session, the final step is the ratification of the Fifth Amendment to the 1945 Constitution at the MPR Session. This agreement was attended by at least 357 MPR members. This requirement is strictly regulated in Article 37 paragraph 4:

The decision to amend articles of the Constitution is made with the approval of at least fifty percent plus one member from all members of the People's Consultative Assembly.