Ganjar responds to Prabowo's heartbreak over PDIP criticism

Ganjar Pranowo, head of the PDIP’s Central Leadership Council for Governance and Regional Autonomy, said criticism is part of the life of democracy. This statement by the former Governor of Central Java was a response to President Prabowo Subianto’s admission that his heart is saddened to hear criticisms from PDIP members.

‘Criticism and self-criticism are healthy for the life of the state. We respect the President’s stance that PDIP remains outside the government and acts as a counterbalance,’ Ganjar said when contacted on Thursday, 22 May 2026.

Ganjar stated that PDIP will continue to provide critical notes on government policy based on data and on-the-ground findings. He believes that as stakeholders and decision-makers, the government needs to hear input from as many elements of society as possible.

‘Monitoring many parties will be very beneficial for decision-making. Let us restore public trust by placing the state apparatus in its proper function,’ he said.

In the DPR plenary session on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, Prabowo read the Macro-Economic Framework of Core Fiscal Policy (KEM-PPKF) of the Draft APBN 2027 in the presence of ministers, DPR members, and several party chairpersons. As the two-hour speech neared its end, Prabowo touched on the role of PDIP, which did not join the governing coalition.

Prabowo expressed thanks to PDIP and suggested that the bull party was making sacrifices. However, the Head of State said he was saddened to hear the criticisms voiced by PDIP MPs.

‘These PDIP members’ criticisms are sometimes very harsh,’ Prabowo said in his address at the DPR plenary, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Gradually, Gerindra Party chairman said that criticisms by PDIP members have underlying reasons. He also said democracy requires oversight and balancing, or check-and-balance.

‘There is a saying that if people remind us, even if we don’t like being warned, they are actually saving us,’ the former Defence Minister said.

He then revealed his heart’s desire that if all political parties joined the government. But he also said that every leader should be prepared to be criticised and the government’s performance should be overseen.

‘Indeed, my preference is for joint endeavour. If all parties were in government, how sweet it would be. How sweet it would be for me, but perhaps it would not be good,’ he said.