The PKS head of the Elections and Local Elections Campaign Division,\nMardani Ali Sera, spoke about the party\u2019s stance during its ten-year\nopposition to President Joko Widodo\u2019s administration. He said the party\nhad never taken on any projects while in opposition.<\/p>\n
Mardani first responded to remarks by President Prabowo Subianto who\ndid not object to the background of the political party that won the\nproject. He said decisions on government projects and tenders should be\nmade professionally.<\/p>\n
\u2018First, it is best that all projects are conducted professionally,\u2019\nMardani told reporters on Thursday, 21 May 2026.<\/p>\n
Mardani said political entities should not meddle in the development\nprocess. He argued that the involvement of political entities in a\nproject could complicate the oversight and the imposition of sanctions\nfor underperformance.<\/p>\n
\u2018Third, bravo to the President for having the courage to reveal the\nprocesses behind the curtain,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
The Commission II member of the Indonesian House of Representatives\nsaid PKS, while in opposition, never participated in projects. He\nexplained the reason: PKS wants to introduce a merit system and\nprofessional oversight of government and development.<\/p>\n
\u2018PKS was not involved in projects. PKS wants professionalism and a\nmerit-based system in the administration and development of government,\u2019\nMardani said, outlining the reason for not taking on projects while in\nopposition.<\/p>\n
Prabowo\u2019s remarks<\/p>\n
It is known that, while delivering a speech at the plenary meeting of\nthe Indonesian House of Representatives in Senayan, Jakarta, on\nWednesday 20 May 2026, Prabowo admitted being helped by Megawati in the\neconomic field. He said there had been ministers who asked him for\nguidance because the project-winning individuals bore the PDIP\nbackground.<\/p>\n
\u2018In government there are many facilities, but ask; I always say,\nministers seek guidance, \u2019Sir, how about this, Sir, there is a project,\nthere is a tender, but behind it is PDIP,\u2019 right? Come on, ministers,\nright? But what was my answer? My answer? No problem, if they win, they\nwin\u2014let\u2019s not look at their background,\u2019 Prabowo said.<\/p>\n
He said he did so because Megawati had done the same when in power,\nand that he was assisted in the economic field by Megawati.<\/p>\n
\u2018There is no need to worry, because when I was not in power, Madam\nMega also helped me in the economy. No, I want to be transparent; I was\nnot in power then, in effect I was adrift; Madam Megawati\nSoekarnoputri\u2019s intervention said, \u2019if indeed Prabowo wins the tender,\ndo not interfere, carry on.\u2019 I am now following her example,\u2019 he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In the same event, Prabowo also expressed special thanks to PDIP for\nchoosing to operate outside the government. Only one faction in the DPR\nis outside the coalition, namely PDIP, and Prabowo respects PDIP\u2019s\npolitical position.<\/p>\n
\u2018Indeed, not all parties here are part of the government, and I\nrespect and value that; our democracy needs checks and balances. I\nunderstand that PDIP sacrifices by staying outside the government,\u2019 he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
As a result of that political stance, Prabowo thanked PDIP. Although\nhe would like to work with all parties, there needs to be a balancing\nparty in parliament.<\/p>\n
\u2018Yes, I understand that. In fact I want to thank PDIP. You have been\ninstrumental to our democracy; my aim is to foster cooperation. If all\nparties were in government it would be much nicer for me, but perhaps\nthat would not be good; every leader must be willing to be criticised,\u2019\nhe added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pks-says-it-never-involved-itself-in-projects-while-in-opposition-during-the-jokowi-era-1779542806", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }