PDI-P to keep Indonesian govt at arm's length

The Star

04-08-2025

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said it would act as a 'constitutional counterbalance' to President Prabowo Subianto's administration in remarks to close the Bali congress. Meanwhile, observers await the party's next move following its secretary-general's controversial amnesty in a graft case.
Speaking at the closing session of the party's two-day congress on Saturday (Aug 2) in Nusa Dua, Bali, party chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri said the PDI-P would not fall into the binary of opposition and ruling coalition, but would instead stay rooted in its ideological mission to serve the people.
'We are an ideological party that stands on the side of truth, aligns with the people and firmly acts as a balancing force to ensure national development stays on the path of the Constitution and serves the interests of the people,' she said.
She underscored that Indonesia's presidential system did not recognise the concept of formal opposition or coalition politics, and warned against unhealthy contests that undermine the public interest.
'In our democratic space, in the presidential system that we follow, there is no such thing as opposition and ruling coalition,' she said. 'Our democracy is not about political blocs. It is grounded in the sovereignty of the people, and where the Constitution stands as the highest authority.'
Megawati affirmed that the PDI-P would support any government policy that benefits the people, but would not hesitate to 'speak out against any deviation from the state ideology, Pancasila, social justice and just law enforcement'.
The PDI-P is the only party in the House of Representatives that is not in Prabowo's coalition. It has long been expected to stay outside of the government after a feud with former president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, a one-time party member who broke ranks to support Prabowo's presidential bid last year, complicated the ties between Megawati and Prabowo.
The relationship has had its ups and downs since Megawati lost the 2009 presidential bid with Prabowo as her running mate. But in recent months, their ties have warmed, leading to their first meeting in April since Prabowo's presidential inauguration.
The PDI-P's Saturday announcement came only days after Prabowo unexpectedly granted amnesty to Megawati's most trusted aide: Party secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto, who was recently convicted of bribery.
A PDI-P source said the President was initially expected to attend the congress, but opted out due to fear that his appearance could fuel public speculation about a political deal behind Hasto's amnesty.
Political analyst Arif Susanto said PDI-P taking a balancing role could fill a gap in the country's political landscape that is increasingly dominated by a pro-government coalition, but only if the party maintains a truly critical posture.
'There is nothing wrong with supporting good government policies and criticising the bad ones,' Arif said. 'The real test is whether the party would have the courage to call out the government when it makes harmful decisions or strays from democratic principles.'
'If the PDI-P backs problematic policies out of political convenience, it risks undermining its own credibility,' Arif said. 'A balancing force simply fails at its job if it remains silent when the government needs correction.'
Yoes Kenawas, a postdoctoral research fellow at Atma Jaya Catholic University, expressed skepticism that the PDI-P's positioning would translate into an effective check to the Prabowo administration, which holds the majority in the House.
'The amnesty granted to Hasto puts the PDI-P and Megawati in a position of owing a political favour to Prabowo,' said Yoes. 'Their relationship has always been fine, but with the amnesty, it looks like it's moving up a notch.'
'This clears the path for Prabowo to fully cartelise political parties in the legislature. His legislative agenda will likely face fewer obstacles,' Yoes said, adding, however, that 'this doesn't guarantee political stability as it depends on many variables'.
Both analysts also see a possibility for PDI-P affiliated professionals to join Prabowo's cabinet in a future reshuffle, which has been widely speculated would take place after the PDI-P congress.
Yet, PDI-P politician Ganjar Pranowo ruled out this possibility, saying the party position had been made 'crystal clear' by Megawati that it would remain outside of the government.
'Based on Ibu Megawati's statement, I am absolutely certain that we won't be part of the cabinet,' Ganjar told The Jakarta Post. At the congress, Megawati was reelected as PDI-P chairwoman and has temporarily taken over the secretary-general position from Hasto, pending a definitive appointment. - The Jakarta Post/ANN