As per the ruling, the minimum age needs to be calculated as on the date of inauguration.
Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Body's Achmad Baidowi led the discussion, which resulted in the approval of problem inventory (DIM) list number 71 of revisions to the Pilkada Law.
With the approval, the minimum age for gubernatorial candidates will be set at 30 and for regent and mayoral candidates at 25.
The debate centered on whether to follow the MA decision or a Constitutional Court (MK) decision, which calculates the candidate's age as on the date of registration.
Gerindra faction member Habiburokhman supported the MA decision, while PDI Perjuangan faction member TB Hasanuddin favored the MK's ruling.
"In theory, the candidates' age limit should be determined at the time of registration, which is logical," Hasanuddin said.
Minister of Law and Human Rights Supratman Andi Agtas said that the government will follow the parliament's consensus.
"We in the government simply follow what our colleagues in parliament have agreed to," said the former chair of the DPR Legislation Body.
The MK's recent decisions on Tuesday have significant implications for regional head nominations and age limits.
However, Wednesday's decision from the DPR could significantly affect candidates like Kaesang Pangarep, who is being backed by the Coalition for Advanced Indonesia (KIM) Plus for the 2024 Central Java gubernatorial election.
The coalition plans to support Ahmad Luthfi and his running mate, Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of President Joko Widodo, in the upcoming election.
Initially, Kaesang's eligibility was uncertain due to the MK ruling that set the minimum age for gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial candidates at 30 years at the time of registration.
Born on December 25, 1994, Kaesang will meet the age requirement by the time elected governors are sworn in on January 1, 2025.
Under the previous regulation, he would not have been eligible to contest since the General Elections Commission (KPU) was scheduled to announce eligible candidates on September 22, and by then, he would still have been 29 years old. Related news: Regional polls: Court relaxes threshold for nominating candidates
Related news: Indonesia's ministry sets four key indicators for successful Pilkada
Translator: Melalusa Susthira Khalida, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaks
Editor: Anton Santoso
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