DENPASAR, BALINEWS — The Bali chapter of the Golkar Party has opened its doors to members and cadres of other political parties should the parliamentary threshold be raised from 4 percent to 5 percent.
Chairman of the Bali Golkar Party, Gde Sumarjaya Linggih, widely known as Demer, said Golkar is an open party that provides opportunities for anyone to join and contribute to the party.
Demer made the statement after opening the Golkar Regional Working Meeting (Rakerda) in Bali on Saturday (Oct. 3, 2026).
“As an open party, we hope that political parties that feel they will not be able to meet the parliamentary threshold can join the Golkar Party,” Demer said.
The parliamentary threshold is currently being discussed by Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI). It refers to the minimum percentage of votes a political party must obtain to qualify for seats in parliament.
Demer said members of other political parties who join Golkar would have the same opportunities as existing Golkar cadres to contribute to the party's development.
He added that new members could also pursue strategic positions within the party, including running for Golkar's chairmanship.
“Don't get me wrong, even an angkot driver can become chairman of the Golkar Party. That is what makes Golkar an open party for everyone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Demer said Golkar would not be concerned if the parliamentary threshold were raised from 4 percent to 5 percent as part of the revision of Indonesia's election law.
He said Golkar's vote share had consistently remained above the 5 percent threshold. Nevertheless, he emphasized that this did not mean the party would become complacent in building political support.
According to Demer, Golkar would continue to strengthen its internal consolidation and expand its membership base, including by recruiting younger generations.
He said young people in Bali currently possess considerable intelligence, experience, and political awareness.
Golkar, he added, hopes that more young people will join the party and become cadres who can help advance the interests of the public.
“We certainly hope they will join us in strengthening the Golkar Party so that our efforts to voice the people's interests can be carried out more effectively,” he said.
Demer added that politics provides a platform through which various public aspirations can be pursued and translated into concrete action.
He said greater public participation in politics could contribute to realizing people's aspirations and giving voice to their concerns.
