Balancing Role Under Scrutiny, PDIP Suspects Discontent Within Government Coalition

PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) Central Executive Board Chairman Deddy Sitorus has responded to Golkar and the Democratic Party, who have been questioning PDIP’s position as a balancing party. Deddy suspects there is an uncomfortable situation within the coalition, which is why PDIP’s stance has been called into question lately. “Their attitude is indeed surprising. Do they really want PDI Perjuangan to also have ministers in the cabinet, just to feel secure because they lack confidence or something?” Deddy told reporters on Sunday (21/6/2026). Deddy believes there is unease among the government coalition parties. He mentioned indications that these parties want to pit PDIP against the people or the president. “Or do they also want PDIP to be in an unpleasant situation with them? I am beginning to think that maybe there is a problem or discomfort within the coalition parties at the moment,” Deddy said. “If they are uncomfortable, they should just leave the government. Don’t create strange issues and drag PDI Perjuangan into it. Is it really the intention of these parties to pit PDI Perjuangan against the people and/or the government or the president?” he added. The member of House of Representatives Commission II asked other parties to simply focus on assisting President Prabowo’s ongoing administration. He stated that high concentration is needed to resolve the people’s problems. “I suggest that these parties focus on helping their ministers in the cabinet and truly perform their functions in the DPR. Matters concerning electricity, fuel, labour, social assistance, MSMEs, cooperatives, plantations, infrastructure, food, the economy, trade and many other critically important issues require the concentration of those who have placed their ministers in the cabinet,” he said. Deddy touched upon PDIP’s attitude during the leadership eras of the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and the 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), when the party did not question the positions of other political parties. He views the current attitude of political parties as being in a state of confusion. “Don’t try to find a scapegoat for their anxiety. If they wanted to find a sacrificial victim, they should have done it during last Eid. PDI Perjuangan has never made an issue of whether any party wants to join or not join the cabinet. As happened in the era of President SBY and Jokowi, PDIP never questioned the position of political parties. Why are so many political parties now acting like confused and stressed people?” he said. He also asked Golkar and the Democratic Party to manage their own parties. Deddy considers it unethical to meddle in the internal affairs of PDIP, which is chaired by Megawati Soekarnoputri. “Don’t end up losing to newcomer parties. That is better than meddling in PDI Perjuangan’s internal affairs. Besides having no right, it is also unethical. If they are uncomfortable inside, they should just leave. Why get angry at a party that doesn’t want positions?” Deddy remarked. “The election is still very far away, it’s better to focus on fixing what is lacking. PDI Perjuangan also wants the government to succeed and fulfil its mandate according to the constitution,” he added. Previously, Democratic Party spokesperson and Head of the Strategic Communication Agency, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, said PDIP’s current position still appears unclear. He questioned the implementation of PDIP’s stance. “For the Democratic Party itself, for us and for the public, it’s actually not a problem whether they support or do not support the government. The issue is PDIP’s attitude towards the administration, whether they support or do not support it,” Herzaky told reporters in the Senayan area, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (20/6/2026). “But the most important thing is how that can truly be communicated to the public, that their stance is either supporting or not supporting. That’s one. Secondly, how is it implemented?” he continued. Herzaky then compared it with the Democratic Party’s experience of being outside the government for nine years. According to him, a political position must be stated openly so the public is not confused. “The Democratic Party has experience being outside the government for nine years previously, and we took a firm and clear stance. We delivered criticism, and we were also firm in that position,” Herzaky said. He noted that many parties are questioning PDIP’s current position. Nonetheless, his party respects PDIP’s decision. “But again, the important point is, please just show a firm stance. Whether today they are outside, or whether today they are inside,” he continued. Meanwhile, Golkar Party Central Executive Board Chairman for Economic Affairs, Mukhamad Misbakhun, invited all political elites and parties to show maturity in responding to recent national dynamics. According to the Chairman of Depinas SOKSI, political elites should distance themselves from actions or invitations with provocative nuances that could potentially heat up the situation. “Criticism is important in a democracy so that the government continues to hear the aspirations of the people. However, in a situation where the nation is facing pressure due to the current geopolitical situation, criticism should be delivered with full responsibility, not in a way that makes the situation hotter. We need calls that cool the atmosphere so it can de-escalate,” Misbakhun told reporters on Sunday (21/6/2026). Specifically, Misbakhun also responded to the reactions of some PDIP elites to the political dynamics and the wave of public protests lately. Misbakhun said he respects the criticism from PDIP politicians towards the government. However, Misbakhun has not found anything substantive or solution-oriented in the various criticisms delivered by PDIP politicians. He said this is regrettable because PDIP has previously been in power and has experience managing complex issues. “PDI Perjuangan has had long experience in operating the government and state policy. Therefore, the criticism delivered should be more mature, proportional, and solution-oriented, not adding heat to the situation,” Misbakhun said. Furthermore, Misbakhun stated that although Indonesia’s constitutional system does not formally recognise an opposition.