AHY's Jab at Sugiono: Demokrat Often Take to the People, Don't Read It as a Political Manoeuvre

Chairman of the Democratic Party (PD) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) delivered a light-hearted remark in front of Foreign Minister and Gerindra Secretary General Sugiono at a buka puasa event hosted by the Democratic Party at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March 2026). Sugiono was among the invited guests. AHY spoke about Demokrat’s upcoming 25th anniversary and reflected on the party’s journey, noting that the 25-year history has been full of ups and downs, effort, and sacrifice. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this year is a historic year for the Democratic Party; on 9 September 2026, God willing, the Democratic Party will be 25 years old—a quarter of a century. In a 25-year political journey, there are surely joys and sorrows, climbs and drops, sweat and tears,’ he said. He stated that this year would be a moment for Demokrat to rise, and that his cadres had often gone down to the people. ‘That is why, Sir/Madam, Mr Secretary General of Gerindra, please report to the President, as the patron of the coalition and the patron of political parties, that Demokrat this year has been going down to the grassroots more often due to the spirit of turning 25,’ he added. However, AHY stressed that this movement was not intended as a political manoeuvre. He affirmed that the party would continue to support the government of President Prabowo Subianto. ‘Please don’t misinterpret this as a political manoeuvre because the elections are still a long way off,’ he said. ‘But we are truly focused on guarding the government of President Prabowo Subianto. That is our objective, nothing else,’ he continued. AHY quipped that Demokrat should not become a party that is always at the extreme. ‘It is fine if we have the ambition that Demokrat is not always at the extreme. In Parliament we are already at the edge, Sir. We have been at the far edge there, now at the far edge here. So during plenary sessions, that’s right? Do not edge up against the wall; we want to stand firm and even stronger. And the DNA of the Demokrat Party has many similarities with the Gerindra Party, so I think we can synergise and collaborate with other parties, of course,’ he added.