Jakarta — A push to move Indonesia’s regional elections from direct public vote to a system decided by local legislative bodies is facing opposition, with critics questioning the stated rationale of cost savings. Themis Indonesia, a research group, argues the claimed efficiencies don’t hold up under scrutiny, especially when compared to the expenses of national elections.
Is Indonesia Trading Democracy for Dollars?
Concerns are rising that a shift to indirect regional elections is less about budget concerns and more about political control.
- The 2024 national elections cost Rp71 trillion (approximately $4.5 billion USD), dwarfing the Rp37.52 trillion (roughly $2.4 billion USD) spent on regional elections from 2020-2024.
- A member of parliament openly admitted to spending Rp20 billion (about $1.3 million USD) to win a seat in the 2024 elections, highlighting the high political costs.
- Critics point to wasteful spending by election organizers, such as a Rp90 billion (around $5.7 million USD) private jet purchase by the General Election Commission (KPU) in 2024.
- Several parties aligned with President Prabowo Subianto are supporting the change to indirect elections, raising questions about the motivations behind the shift.
What’s driving this debate? The idea of indirect regional elections—where local legislatures, rather than voters, choose governors and regents—has resurfaced ahead of revisions to Indonesia’s General Elections Law. Proponents claim it will reduce costs, but Themis Indonesia researcher Kafin Muhammad isn’t buying it.
“So, it’s worth questioning the reasons behind this. It certainly doesn’t seem to be for efficiency,” Muhammad said during a virtual press conference on January 11, 2026, presenting the group’s report, “Deceptions of Regional Elections through the DPRD.”
The cost argument also feels inconsistent, Muhammad argues, when considering the broader political landscape. NasDem party member of the House of Representatives, Muslim Ayub, revealed he spent Rp20 billion to secure his parliamentary seat in the 2024 elections. “This situation arises because the political parties are problematic,” said Irpan, a political analyst. “Starting from legislative elections, presidential elections, regional elections, and others, they are problematic. So, it’s very expensive.”
Beyond campaign spending, concerns extend to how election funds are actually used. Muhammad cited the KPU’s purchase of a Rp90 billion private jet during the 2024 elections as an example of “luxurious lifestyles and budget wastage.”
Themis Indonesia also points to other substantial budget allocations that raise questions about priorities. The DPR allocated Rp237.35 billion for legislative functions in 2025, despite numerous legislative products being overturned by the Constitutional Court. Additionally, DPR allowances total approximately Rp1.1 trillion, the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) project has already cost Rp89 trillion, and the free nutritious meal (MBG) program, despite costing hundreds of trillions of rupiah, has been plagued by food poisoning cases.
“The substantial budget for regional elections should not be used as a reason to sacrifice the people’s rights,” Muhammad stated. “When the budget for the DPR, IKN, or other programs remains substantial despite the questionable results, why are the people’s rights to choose their leaders being sacrificed?”
Political Shifts and Support for Indirect Elections
The debate over regional elections comes as several parties within the Coalition of Advancing Indonesia—supporters of President Prabowo Subianto—have voiced support for a return to indirect elections. Leaders from Gerindra, the National Awakening Party, and the National Mandate Party reportedly met on December 28, 2025, at the residence of Golkar Chair Bahlil Lahadalia to discuss the matter.
The NasDem party has also signaled its support, and the Democratic Party has stated it will follow President Prabowo’s lead. This marks a shift for the Democratic Party, which under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2014 rejected indirect regional elections and issued a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) to maintain direct elections.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) remains undecided, awaiting deliberation on the revision of the Election Law. Currently, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle is the only major parliamentary party openly opposing the move to indirect elections.
If the country is serious about reducing costs, Muhammad argues, it needs to address the behavior of elites and improve budget management, “Instead of curtailing the democratic rights of citizens.”
