Megawati Affirms PDIP as Balancing Force, Golkar Says 'Suit Yourself'

Golkar Party Secretary-General Sarmuji has responded casually to PDI-P chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri’s assertion that her party acts as a balancing force, stating it is entirely up to them. “It’s up to PDI Perjuangan, whatever position they want to take, please do,” Sarmuji said when contacted on Thursday (9/7/2026). He added that he did not want to trouble himself over PDI-P’s stance, remarking, “The people will judge later.” Sarmuji, however, stressed that politics is about attitude and action, though he did not elaborate further on the meaning of this definition. “We respect it. But for me personally, politics is about attitude and action,” he said. Megawati Soekarnoputri had earlier emphasised PDI-P’s position towards President Prabowo Subianto’s administration as a balancing force, stating this was not a tactical choice driven by short-term power dynamics. The statement was made in an internal letter dated 1 July 2026. In the letter, Megawati argued that Indonesia’s presidential system does not constitutionally recognise the terms ‘opposition’ and ‘coalition’. She explained that the President is directly elected by the people and cannot be dismissed simply for losing political support in the House of Representatives, except through the impeachment mechanism outlined in the 1945 Constitution. “Indonesian democracy is not a democracy of power blocs, but a democracy based on popular sovereignty and constitutional supremacy,” Megawati wrote, adding that the system requires a balance of power and the moral courage to deliver criticism and corrections to the government.