AHY's Remarks on Power Draw Scrutiny from Coalition Parties

Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has spoken about power that continually changes hands. He pointed out that his party has both led the government and been outside it.

His remarks subsequently drew attention from parties in the ruling coalition. PAN responded with unconditional support for the government of President Prabowo Subianto, whilst Golkar scrutinised AHY’s gesture.

AHY’s remarks

AHY recounted the Democratic Party’s experience in the political arena, which has seen both victory and defeat. For him, this was a real lesson that the Democratic Party consistently upholds democratic values.

“The Democratic Party has led the government and has been outside the government. We have won and we have lost. That experience teaches us that democracy must be safeguarded under any circumstances. In essence, elections belong to the people. Do not obstruct the people’s right to vote and to stand for election,” AHY said in an address at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Democratic Party at the party’s central executive board office in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (5/9/2026).

He then said that under sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), democracy was preserved. He also reminded that power is not forever but has limits, so democratic space must continue to be protected.

“We ought to learn from the ten years of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration. Including when the transfer of power took place peacefully and democratically after two terms. Power does not belong to one person forever. Power is a mandate from the people that has a time limit,” AHY explained.

“Democratic fighters across the nation, power comes and goes, positions have their time, elections have their cycles, but responsibility to the people never ends,” he added.

PAN: Standing by Prabowo through Thick and Thin

Deputy chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Yandri Susanto responded to AHY’s statement that power does not belong to one person forever. Yandri said his party respected what other parties conveyed.

“Ah, ask AHY, I’m not AHY’s interpreter,” Yandri said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (7/9).

Yandri asked that the statement be confirmed directly with AHY. He then stated that PAN is always loyal to and supportive of President Prabowo Subianto.

“Oh, we always do — we backed him three times, so once he wins, why would we stop supporting him? We support him all the way, through thick and thin with Pak Prabowo,” he said.

Golkar’s Doli Sees AHY’s Gesture as a Signal He Is Ready for the Presidential Election

Golkar deputy chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia also took note of AHY’s gesture in the political speech. He assessed that AHY’s gesture seemed to signal his readiness to contest the 2029 general election.

“In substance, I fully agree with what AHY conveyed. About the growth of democracy that must be safeguarded, the responsibility of all state institutions, the primary duty of government, and the rights and obligations of citizens,” Doli told journalists on Monday (7/9).

Nevertheless, Doli highlighted AHY’s position within the ruling coalition. He viewed AHY as seeming to give a strong signal of becoming a rival in the upcoming presidential election.

“However, judging from the way he delivered it, his gesture and standing position, AHY appears to be giving a strong signal that he is ready to be one of the contenders in the upcoming presidential election,” Doli said.

“Yet we are all, as a nation, currently facing extraordinary challenges. The situation facing the public is not easy either. And AHY’s current position is as part of the government, which should share responsibility for whatever situation is being faced,” he added.

He emphasised that the difficulties currently faced by the public are everyone’s responsibility. Doli touched on several parties already positioning themselves for the 2029 presidential election.

“The difficulties faced by the people are our collective responsibility. The government, the House of Representatives, and political parties are one indivisible unit. This phenomenon increasingly confirms that the ‘magnet’ of the 2029 presidential election can no longer be avoided and is becoming ever more open. It seems several forces have begun jockeying for position,” he said.

He referred to parties showing their political axes ahead of the 2029 general election, such as Projo chairman Budi Arie. Doli then spoke about the ‘Cikeas’ axis that is currently taking shape.

“Some time ago, Budi Arie, representing one ‘political axis’ (Solo), openly declared his readiness. Now we are witnessing another ‘political axis’ (Cikeas) also giving a strong signal. Yet both of these axes are currently ‘in the same boat’ within the government,” he said.

Democrats Insist There Is No Link to the 2029 Presidential Election

The Democratic Party responded to the scrutiny of AHY’s speech. It stressed that AHY’s speech about power had no connection with preparations for the 2029 presidential election.

“The Democratic Party affirms that AHY’s speech has absolutely nothing to do with practical political interests, let alone the 2029 presidential election. Chairman AHY’s political speeches always speak of grand concepts, big ideas and major thinking. The future of the nation and state. The fate of the people. The greater good. What the Democratic Party’s role is in fighting for the people’s hopes,” the Democratic Party wrote in a statement on Tuesday (8/9).

The party explained that AHY’s statement on power must be viewed in its entirety. According to the party, AHY emphasised that power is a mandate from the people and has a time limit.

“AHY affirmed that power comes and goes. Positions have their time. Elections have their cycles. But responsibility to the people never ends. That is the main point,” it said.

According to the party, it would be wrong to link AHY’s statement to the 2029 presidential election. The Democratic Party affirmed that AHY supports the programmes of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

“Moreover if it is then linked to coalition solidarity. In his speech, Chairman AHY clearly affirmed his support for President Prabowo’s policies and priority programmes. Among them the People’s Schools Programme, as well as the revitalisation of madrasahs and Islamic boarding schools, so that more Indonesian children have the opportunity to change their future through education,” the party said.

“He clearly supports President Prabowo’s efforts to prevent misconduct and corruption, including the use of state finances to support national strategic projects, whose accountability must be maintained so they do not become a new source of state leakage,” it added.