Indonesia's Ministry Says G-BRAN May Become Political Party Under Existing Law

JAKARTA, STUPA NEWS – Indonesia's Ministry of Law and Human Rights has reaffirmed that there is no legal prohibition preventing a civil society organization from transforming into a political party, provided it complies with all requirements stipulated under Indonesian law.

The statement was delivered by Saut Parulian Nababan, Senior Legal Analyst at the Directorate General of General Legal Administration (AHU), during a public seminar on the 2026 Civil Society Organization Policy organized by the Jakarta Provincial National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol) at Hotel Orchardz Industri in Jakarta on Thursday.

"There is no restriction on a civil society organization wishing to become a political party. As long as it fulfills the legal requirements, it is fully permissible," Saut said during the discussion.

His remarks came in response to a question raised by Khairul Basrie, Deputy Secretary of the Jakarta chapter of the Gerakan Berani Nusantara (G-BRAN) organization, regarding growing internal discussions about the possibility of transforming the organization into a political party ahead of the inauguration of G-BRAN's regional leadership on August 8, 2026.

Saut emphasized that any civil society organization has the legal right to establish or transform into a political party, provided the process follows the procedures and requirements set out in Indonesia's laws and regulations.

"It is perfectly legitimate for a civil society organization to become a political party, but it must follow the legal mechanisms prescribed by law. There is no prohibition," he said.

During the forum, Saut also confirmed that G-BRAN is officially registered with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, giving it formal legal status as a registered civil society organization.

He explained that legal registration is essential because organizations operating without formal legal recognition are not entitled to access certain government services or public funding.

"Organizations without formal legal status are not eligible to receive government services, including grants or social assistance funded through the national or regional budgets," he explained.

The clarification provides legal certainty that civil society organizations in Indonesia may pursue political participation through the establishment of a political party, provided they comply with the country's legal framework. (Hd)