Debate On Efforts to Extend the Presidential Term Limit During The Joko Widodo Administration from a Democratic Perspective

Hendra HENDRA

doi:10.38142/jogta.v4i1.1535

Authors

Hendra HENDRA Padjadjaran University, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38142/jogta.v4i1.1535

Keywords:

Constitutional amendment, President, Term Limits, Democracy, Authoritarianism

Abstract

Since the amendment to the 1945 Constitution, the presidential term in Indonesia has been limited to a maximum of two terms. An interesting phenomenon has emerged in Joko Widodo's second term, with both pros and cons surrounding the idea of extending the presidential term to three terms. Some literature states that limiting the presidential term is one of the democratic indicators in preventing authoritarianism. While other opinions state that limiting the presidential term is considered undemocratic because it is not in line with the will of the people. Through a qualitative approach supported by literature studies, the author concludes that the idea of changing the presidential term limit is considered not contrary to democracy when viewed in terms of the will of the people in general elections. Still, suppose other factors such as the party system, the functioning of representative institutions, and the guarantee of the independence of the judiciary do not support the creation of democracy. In that case, there is concern that this extension of the term will give rise to a dictatorial leader who rules authoritarianly.

References

Agustino, L. (2007). Perihal ilmu politik: Sebuah bahasan memahami ilmu politik. Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu.

Baturo, A., & Elgie, R. (2019). The politics of presidential term limits. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198837404.001.0001

Fikri, D. T. (2023, Januari 31). Ide perpanjangan masa jabatan presiden ramai lagi, bola liar agar Jokowi 3 periode? Tempo.co. https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1689005/ide-perpanjangan-masa-jabatan-presiden-ramai-lagi-bola-liar-agar-jokowi-3-periode?page_num=1

Fruhstorfer, A., & Hudson, A. (2021). Costs and benefits of accepting presidential term limits: “Should I stay or should I go?”. Democratization, 29(1), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2021.1960314

Ghoffar, A. (2009). Perbandingan kekuasaan presiden Indonesia setelah perubahan UUD 1945 dengan delapan negara maju. Jakarta: Prenada Media Group.

Indrayana, D. (2014, Januari 21). Pembatasan masa jabatan presiden. SindoNews.com. https://nasional.sindonews.com/read/828497/18/pembatasan-masa-jabatan-presiden-1390277830

Jones, M. P. (1999). Electoral laws and the effective number of candidates in presidential elections. The Journal of Politics, 61(1), 171–184. https://doi.org/10.2307/2647780

Juliansyah, E. (2013). Sistem politik Indonesia pasca reformasi. Bandung: Mandar Maju.

Manan, B. (1999). Lembaga kepresidenan. Yogyakarta: PSH UII-GAMA Media.

Maltz, G. (2017). The case for presidential term limits. Journal of Democracy, 18(1), 128–142. https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2007.0010

Mietzner, M., & Honna, J. (2023). Elite opposition and popular rejection: The failure of presidential term limit evasion in Widodo’s Indonesia. South East Asia Research, 31(2), 115–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/0967828X.2023.2236542

Osei, A., Akinocho, H., & Mwombela, S. (2020). Presidential term limits and regime types: When do leaders respect constitutional norms? Africa Spectrum, 55(3), 251–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002039720945720

Risalah Perubahan UUD Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945. (1999a). Rapat ke-1 Panitia Ad Hoc III Badan Pekerja MPR RI pada 7 Oktober 1999. Jakarta: Sekretariat Jenderal MPR RI.

Risalah Perubahan UUD Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945. (1999b). Rapat ke-3 Panitia Ad Hoc III Badan Pekerja MPR RI pada 9 Oktober 1999. Jakarta: Sekretariat Jenderal MPR RI.

Risalah Perubahan UUD Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945. (1999c). Rapat lobi ke-1 Komisi C MPR RI pada 18 Oktober 1999. Jakarta: Sekretariat Jenderal MPR RI.

Tull, D. M., & Simons, C. (2017). The institutionalisation of power revisited: Presidential term limits in Africa. Africa Spectrum, 52(2), 79–102.

Vredenbregt, J. (1983). Metode dan teknik penelitian masyarakat. Jakarta: PT Gramedia.

Yudhistira, E. (2020). Pembatasan masa jabatan presiden sebagai upaya menghindari abuse of power. Arena Hukum, 23(2), 132–154. https://doi.org/10.56087/aijih.v23i2.43

Ginsburg, T., Melton, J., & Elkins, Z. (2011). On the evasion of executive term limits. William & Mary Law Review, 52(6), 1807–1872. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr/vol52/iss6/3