Page 105 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

Furthermore,our law on Legislatives Election stipulates that the minimum age of a legislative
candidate is 21 years old. In Indonesia national parliament for the period 2014-2019, there are
2.7 percent parliament members aged 20-30 years old, and 14.5 percent aged 31-40 years old.
In addition, Law on Governor, Regent and Major regulates that a person aged 25 years old is
eligible to run for Major or Regent Election, while the minimum age for gubernatorial candidate
is 30 years old. These are the way on how we promote youth to take more active role in politics.

The youth’s engagement in politics is essential to sustain democracy. However, it is hard to
be realized if there are still many young people face violence and armed conflict in their daily
life. Therefore, we are as parliamentarians may take appropriate action to prevent conflict
and promoting peace. Peace and security are precondition for youth to have more voice in
democracy.

Moreover, parliaments should enact legislations that ensure youth to participate freely and
actively in politics. The minimum age to vote and to be nominated as legislative candidate
should be regulated to provide fair chances for the youth to participate in political process.

92 I Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia