Gerindra: Prabowo's Remarks on PDIP and Megawati Reaffirm Commitment to National Reconciliation

Spokesperson for the Gerindra Party and Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian DPR’s Commission II, Bahtra Banong, said Prabowo Subianto’s statement paying homage to PDIP and Megawati Soekarnoputri was a political message for democracy.

“The president’s speech yesterday demonstrated a very strong quality of statesmanship. He not only respects the opposition, but also openly acknowledges that democracy requires checks and balances,” Bahtra said in a statement on Thursday (21 May 2026).

According to Bahtra, in his speech Prabowo appreciated the opposition’s role as an important part of safeguarding democracy.

“If there is a leader who is anti-democracy, the opposition is usually seen as a threat. But President Prabowo said that the existence of PDIP outside the government should be respected. This means he understands that democracy does not have to be uniform, not everyone needs to be inside the government,” he explained.

Bahtra also noted that Prabowo’s statement to Megawati emphasised national reconciliation above political rivalry.

“Mr Prabowo shows that political differences do not erase respect and the brotherhood of the nation. Moreover, the two share a strong history of friendship. This means he teaches that politics must be conducted with ethics, respect, and a big heart,” he said.

Earlier, in a speech delivering the Macro-Economic Framework and the Key Principles of Fiscal Policy (KEM-PPKF) at the DPR building, President Prabowo briefly praised PDIP’s political stance.

“Indeed, not all parties here are part of the government. And I respect and value that. Our democracy needs checks and balances. I understand and I realise that PDIP has sacrificed to be outside the government. Actually I would like to thank PDIP. You have contributed to our democracy,” he said. (H-4)

The President instructed ministers and heads of agencies to cleanse the bureaucracy of extortion and corruption in order to safeguard national economic stability.

President Prabowo Subianto targets poverty to fall to 6.0-6.5% by 2027 in presenting the KEM-PPKF to the DPR. See the key points of the RAPBN 2027.

The plenary session of the DPR focused on Macro-Economic Framework and the Key Principles of Fiscal Policy as well as the RAPBN 2027, delivered directly by President Prabowo Subianto.

Agung stressed that a cabinet reshuffle is also expected to bring improvements across sectors, from public communication to governance.

Djohermansyah highlighted the frequent reshuffles of posts, even for the same people, which is seen as potentially undermining bureaucratic stability.

The influence of public service factors on Gerindra’s political communication strategy, with voter attention to the election as a mediating variable.

The Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Gerindra Party took firm action against one of its cadres in Jember.

Azis Subekti, a member of the DPR from the Gerindra faction, emphasised the importance of balancing national stability with expanding democratic space.

Azis Subekti viewed Prabowo Subianto’s presence at May Day at Monas as a strategic move, but argued it must be followed by real pro-labour policies.

The Acting Chairman of the DPP Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, rejected reports that NasDem and Gerindra would merge or unify.