Misbakhun Criticises PDIP's Balancing Position: Two-Legged Politics Is Not Elegant

Golkar Party’s Head of Economic Affairs, Mukhamad Misbakhun, has called on all political elites and parties to demonstrate maturity in responding to recent national dynamics. According to the Chairman of Depinas SOKSI, political elites should distance themselves from actions or calls that carry a tone of incitement and could potentially heat up the situation.

“Criticism is important in a democracy so that the government continues to hear the aspirations of the people. However, in a situation where the nation is facing pressure due to the current geopolitical climate, criticism should be delivered with full responsibility, not in a way that makes the situation even hotter. We need calls that cool the atmosphere so things can calm down,” Misbakhun told reporters on Sunday (21/6/2026).

Misbakhun stressed that criticism of the government is a normal part of democracy. He said every view from the public, students, national figures, or political parties must be respected as a form of concern for the running of the government.

The Golkar legislator who chairs House Commission XI believes the administration of President Prabowo Subianto is willing to listen to criticism and follow it up. As an example, Misbakhun cited various criticisms regarding alleged irregularities in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. “The government listens to a lot of criticism and input, the proof being that law enforcement efforts have been made regarding MBG,” he added.

Specifically, Misbakhun also responded to the reactions of some PDIP elites to the political dynamics and wave of public protests recently. Misbakhun said he respects the criticisms made by PDIP politicians towards the government. However, he has yet to find anything substantive or solution-oriented in the various criticisms delivered by PDIP politicians. According to him, this is regrettable because PDIP has been in power before and has experience managing issues that are not simple.

“PDI Perjuangan has had long experience in operating the government and state policy. Therefore, the criticism delivered should be more mature, proportional, and solution-oriented, not adding heat to the situation,” Misbakhun said.

Furthermore, Misbakhun stated that although Indonesia’s constitutional system does not formally recognise an opposition, every political party should still show a clear and consistent position. According to him, political parties should not play a two-legged game, deciding to be both inside and outside of power.

Misbakhun asserted that it is not proper for a political party to enjoy appreciation when a government policy is well-received by the people, but then hastily distance itself when the government faces difficult and unpopular policies. He called such ambiguous political behaviour a bad practice in politics.

“Do not position yourselves as a balancer, but when a good government programme is appreciated, you also want to score points. Conversely, you immediately criticise harshly when a government programme is facing problems. That two-legged political position is not elegant,” Misbakhun added.

He believes the people do not want to see ambiguous political stances. According to Misbakhun, clarity of political stance is also part of democratic education. “Please have different views and give criticism, but do not let the public get the impression of political ambiguity. Consistency is far more educational for the people than a stance that changes according to the situation,” Misbakhun said.

Nevertheless, Misbakhun encouraged all political parties to prioritise a politics of working together. The reason, he said, is that various current problems cannot be solved by blaming each other, so their resolution requires the contribution of ideas from all political forces.

“Let us cool the atmosphere together. The task of all political elites is to set an example, present solutions, and place the interests of the nation and state above momentary political interests. Politics with a national outlook where the values of national interest must be prioritised over practical populist political interests,” Misbakhun said.

PDIP’s Choice on the Balancing Stance

PDIP DPP Chairman Ganjar Pranowo previously asserted that PDIP’s position is very clearly outside the government as a balancer, after PKB requested that the party’s stance not be grey. Ganjar said this stance is an official party decision.

“PDI Perjuangan’s position is actually very clear, we are outside the government and carrying out a balancing function. That is an official party decision, the result of the highest organisational mechanism, and has been conveyed openly to the public. So, there is nothing grey about it,” Ganjar told reporters on Friday (19/6).

Ganjar said the balancing function carried out by PDIP does not mean rejecting all government policies. According to him, PDIP will support policies that side with the people and criticise policies deemed inappropriate. “Like our notes on MBG, KDMP, education, health, foreign policy, disasters, and others. Checks and balances are the foundation of a healthy democracy,” he said.