Government Parties Criticise PDIP's Political Stance, AHY Responds

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The controversy surrounding the political position of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which has recently been highlighted by parties supporting the government, has drawn a response from Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).

According to AHY, every political party has its own agenda and interests. Therefore, political differences are normal in a democratic system. However, he reminded everyone to remain oriented towards the greater interests of the nation.

“I respect all political parties that have certain stances and views. Everyone has an agenda, everyone has interests, but let us place our common and national interests above partisan interests,” he said at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (22/6/2026).

The statement emerged as several parties supporting President Prabowo Subianto’s administration questioned the political position of PDIP, which has long called itself a balancing party. Some party elites assessed that this stance did not yet show a firm position, while PDIP asserted it remains outside the government but will support policies deemed to be in favour of the people.

AHY did not directly enter the debate. Instead, he highlighted the Democratic Party’s experience of having been in two different positions, namely as a government-supporting party and as the opposition.

“The Democrats certainly also have interests and goals, and we have been in the opposition, we have been the ruling party, so it can be said that the Democrats have a completeness of experience and track record. We are grateful for all of that. Each, of course, comes with different consequences and challenges,” said AHY.

He explained that a party in government has the responsibility to oversee state programmes. On the other hand, the opposition still holds an important function in maintaining the quality of democracy through oversight of the government’s performance.

“When in opposition, there is certainly an interest in providing views, even criticism, but of course it must be constructive and must also come with solutions,” said AHY, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.

According to him, a healthy democracy is not built through mutual negation. The government needs input from outside the corridors of power, while the opposition also has a moral responsibility to maintain unity.

“It must not divide the nation, nor discredit as if everything is wrong. But when there is something that is indeed correct and represents the aspirations of the people, the government also listens, the government must also be willing to conduct evaluations and so on,” he stated.