Prabowo on Presidential Age Limit Petition: 'Many Countries Led by Youth'
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3 August 2023 08:38 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gerindra Party chief patron Prabowo Subianto responded to a petition against the Election Law regarding the age limit of presidential and vice presidential candidates at the Constitutional Court. He opined that age is not the key factor to see one's leadership capability.
Instead of age, Prabowo said one's determination and idealism are more crucial to consider. “I think we shall not look at age too much. Let’s see a person's determination, idealism, and ability,” he said at the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) HQ in Central Jakarta, Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
“I see that many countries are led by young leaders,” the Defense Minister added.
The petition regarding the minimum age limit for the presidential and vice presidential candidates is registered at the Constitutional Court Number 29/PUU-XXI/2023. The petition was lodged by PSI, represented by chairperson Giring Ganesha, secretary-general Dea Tunggaesti, and a number of cadres, including Anthony Winza Prabowo, Danik Eka Rahmaningtyas, Dedek Prayudi, and Mikhail Gorbachev.
They seek to change the minimum age requirement of presidential and vice presidential candidates as stated in Article 169(q) of Law No. 7 of 2017 on General Elections from 40 to 35 years old.
Citing the applicant's documents, the youth-oriented political party also experienced a constitutional loss because the age limit of 40 years makes the applicant lose the right to vote and get as many choices of leaders as possible, including those who are young under 40 years old.
Prabowo has yet to announce who will be his running mate in the upcoming presidential election. Gerindra’s coalition partner, PKB, nominated general chairman Muhaimin Iskandar as a vice presidential candidate.
However, rumors are growing that Prabowo will be matched with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, President Jokowi’s eldest son, who currently serves as Solo Mayor.
On May 5, 2023, Gibran claimed no party has ever invited him to discuss his candidacy as a vice presidential candidate thus far. When asked about the possibility of being Prabowo’s running mate, Gibran said it was just a rumor.
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