Deddy Sitorus Hits Back at AHY: Don't Incite!

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician Deddy Sitorus has urged Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) not to incite, following AHY’s remarks about the position of opposition parties. Sitorus initially addressed accusations that PDIP is the mastermind behind recent demonstrations, drawing parallels to similar allegations made in 2025. He stated that no PDIP members were legally processed for the 2025 protests, proving the accusations false. He noted that the same pattern is recurring in 2026, with PDIP cadre Andi Widjajanto now being accused. Sitorus argued that being outside the government makes PDIP an easy scapegoat and suggested that the accusations stem from dissatisfaction within the government coalition itself. He maintained that the student protests are a pure, unorchestrated movement driven by genuine concerns, not a political fabrication. Sitorus called on government coalition parties to listen to the students’ aspirations rather than blaming PDIP, sarcastically telling AHY and others to ‘look for a scapegoat during the Feast of Sacrifice, not when the people feel their aspirations are being ignored.’ Previously, AHY had stated that while he respects PDIP’s position, having been in opposition himself, parties in the coalition must support government programmes and opposition must provide constructive criticism and solutions without dividing the nation.