AHY Seeks Gerindra's Permission If Democrats Will Frequently Go to the People

AHY Seeks Gerindra’s Permission If Democrats Will Frequently Go to the People

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), said that his party would more often engage with the public in the coming period as it reaches its 25th anniversary on 9 September 2026. AHY hopes that the move will not be interpreted as a political manoeuvre.

He delivered these remarks in his speech at the Democratic Party’s iftar gathering, attended by Foreign Minister and Gerindra Secretary General Sugiono, at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March).

‘That is why Mr. Foreign Minister, Mr. Gerindra Secretary General, please report to the President in his capacity as the coalition’s patron and the patron of political parties, that the Democrats this year will go down to the ground more often because of the 25-year spirit,’ AHY said.

‘TPlease do not read this as a political manoeuvre because the election is still a long way off,’ he added.

AHY stressed that the Democratic Party would remain loyal and continue to safeguard the administration of President Prabowo Subianto.

‘And we want to focus wholeheartedly on safeguarding the administration of President Prabowo Subianto. That’s our objective,’ AHY added.

According to AHY, the party’s efforts to go down to the ground are solely to save the party and improve its seat share in parliament. After all, the Democrats currently have the fewest seats in Parliament.

‘In Parliament we are already at the far end, Sir. We used to be at the far end there, now we are at the far end here. So during plenary sessions, that’s right? Let’s not end up pressed against the wall. We want to become robust again, stronger and stronger,’ he said.

AHY added that ideologically and in character, the Democrats share many similarities with the Gerindra Party, and therefore it is believed they can synergise within the governing coalition.

‘And the DNA of the Democratic Party is very similar to Gerindra’s. So I think we can synergise and collaborate, of course with other parties,’ AHY said.

At the event, AHY also urged party members to use the 25th anniversary as a turning point. He said the Democrats need to rediscover their identity as a party that champions the hopes and aspirations of the people.

‘Let us make this 25-year milestone a moment of revival for the Democratic Party, reinventing the Democratic Party, rediscovering the party’s identity as a party that truly champions the hopes and aspirations of the people,’ he said.