Megawati Affirms PDIP as 'Balancing' Party, Says Indonesia's System Does Not Recognise 'Opposition'

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has asserted that her party’s position towards President Prabowo Subianto’s administration is that of a ‘balancing party’. Megawati stated that this stance is not a tactical choice dictated by transient power dynamics.

This was conveyed in an internal letter numbered 1275/IN/DPP/VI/2026, signed on Wednesday (1/7/2026). In the letter, Megawati argued that Indonesia’s presidential system does not recognise the terms ‘opposition’ and ‘coalition’.

‘At the Opening of the VI PDIP Congress in Badung Regency, Bali Province, on 1 August 2025, I emphasised that within the presidential system adopted by the Republic of Indonesia, the terms opposition and coalition are not recognised as constitutional categories regulated by the constitution,’ Megawati stated in the letter, quoted on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

‘Indonesian democracy is not a democracy of power blocs, but rather a democracy based on popular sovereignty and constitutional supremacy,’ she continued.

Megawati explained that Indonesian democracy requires a balance of power, respect for constitutional supremacy, and the moral courage to deliver criticism and corrections to the government. Therefore, PDIP has chosen to position itself as a balancing party.

‘Without a balancing force, democracy will lose its corrective function and power has the potential to drift away from the people’s interests. It is in this context that PDI Perjuangan positions itself as a balancing party,’ she clarified.

Megawati elaborated that the 1945 Constitution does not recognise the legal status of an opposition party or official opposition. Instead, she said, the constitution regulates a checks and balances mechanism through the separation of powers.

‘The President is directly elected by the people and their term of office is determined by the constitution. Therefore, the continuity of the President’s administration is not determined by majority support in the DPR, and the President cannot be removed simply for losing political support in parliament, except through the impeachment mechanism as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia,’ she explained.

‘This differs from a parliamentary system, where the government is formed by a majority party or coalition in parliament and must continuously maintain the confidence of parliament,’ she added.

Megawati stated that all PDIP legislative members have a constitutional duty to oversee the government. She said the oversight function is not a right of the opposition, but a mandate for the people’s representatives.

Megawati revealed that she has refused to be called an opposition leader since 1996. Therefore, the understanding regarding the absence of the term opposition is not a new view for PDIP.

Megawati stressed that PDIP will not reject all government policies a priori. According to her, the party will support policies that strengthen national sovereignty, improve people’s welfare, and realise social justice.

‘Based on this constitutional understanding, historical experience, and theoretical foundation, PDI Perjuangan uses the term balancing party. This term is not merely a choice of political terminology, but an ideological and constitutional stance,’ she stated.

‘A balancing party is a party that carries out the checks and balances function responsibly, placing the interests of the people, nation, and state above the interests of power,’ she continued.

She said PDIP will criticise and provide alternative solutions to policies that have the potential to weaken democracy, reduce oversight functions, or distance the administration of the state from the mandate of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

‘For PDI Perjuangan, being a balancing party is not a tactical choice determined by the momentary configuration of power. This position is an ideological consequence of the party’s identity as an ideological party as well as a pioneering party with a populist, nationalist character and the will to safeguard the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,’ she said.

Megawati also emphasised PDIP’s position as a balancer to ensure Indonesia operates in accordance with the constitution. Furthermore, she does not want power to operate without oversight.

‘The balancing function is a form of historical responsibility to ensure that Indonesian democracy remains on a constitutional track, that power does not operate without control, and that the state is always present to protect the entire Indonesian nation, promote general welfare, educate the life of the nation, and realise social justice for all Indonesian people,’ Megawati asserted.