MPR-DPR Leadership Forum Discusses Political Stability with Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security

Indonesia currently requires wisdom from senior national figures. Threats from within and outside the country must be anticipated with clear perspectives from those who have previously led state institutions.

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Forum of MPR and DPR Leaders 1999–2024 discussed national political and economic stability during a meeting with Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security (Menkopolkam) General (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago.

DPR member Bambang Soesatyo, also the initiator of the forum, stated in comments received in Jakarta on Monday that the meeting also discussed global geopolitical developments and government communication patterns with society.

“The state currently requires thinking from senior national figures. Threats from within and outside the country must be anticipated with clear perspectives from those who have previously led state institutions,” said Bamsoet, his common nickname.

According to him, the discussion on Sunday evening (15 March) was conducted in a warm and critical manner because the figures present had previously been at the centre of state decision-making in different periods since the reformation era.

This experience, he said, meant that the perspectives emerging from the discussion were not merely reflections of the past, but also offered solutions to various problems currently facing Indonesia.

“One of our tasks is to help calm the public so they do not become trapped in excessive worry,” said the former MPR Chair for the 2019–2024 period and former DPR Chair for the 2017–2019 period.

The MPR and DPR leaders who attended included Bamsoet, Sufmi Dasco, Anis Matta, Fahri Hamzah, Ahmad Basarah, Agung Laksono, Sidarto Danusubroto, Marzuki Alie, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Melani Leimena Suharli, Ahmad Farhan Hamid, Agus Hermanto, Priyo Budi Santoso, Setya Novanto, Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, and Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah.

Also present were Menkopolkam General (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago, Deputy I for Domestic Political Coordination Major General (Ret.) Heri Wiranto, and DPR member Robert Kardinal.

The figures present highlighted that global dynamics are increasingly complex. Geopolitical competition between major world powers such as the United States, Russia, and China is reshaping the power map of the Indo-Pacific region, with direct implications for Indonesia.

At the same time, national fiscal conditions are also facing pressure due to increased state expenditure needs, ranging from national development programmes to modernisation of main weapons systems.

Data from the Ministry of Finance shows that in recent years the state budget deficit has remained near the safe threshold of 3 per cent of gross domestic product, making careful fiscal management extremely important.

“Going forward, the government should consider raising the budget deficit ceiling to above 3 per cent of gross domestic product to allow more fiscal flexibility in facing the increasingly pressing economic situation on the state budget. Cooperation between state institutions is also very necessary so that various public issues can be resolved quickly and in a coordinated manner,” said Setya Novanto.

Issues concerning democracy and the electoral system also became important considerations in the meeting. Participants assessed that public confidence in the democratic process must be strengthened through improvements to electoral regulations and enhanced quality of political representation in parliament.

Based on data from the electoral commission, voter participation in the 2024 general election reached approximately 81 per cent, demonstrating high public enthusiasm. However, several public criticisms of the mechanisms for channelling political aspirations indicate the need for system improvements to make democracy more substantive.

“Many people feel their aspirations have not been explored optimally in the current electoral system. For this reason, electoral regulations need to be discussed again seriously, both for central and regional elections,” said Agung Laksono.

Beyond electoral political issues, the forum also highlighted the importance of government public communication amid increasingly complex national circumstances. The figures assessed that the public requires clear, consistent, and easily understood explanations regarding various state policies.

Without effective communication, according to the forum, government policies that are actually beneficial are often misinterpreted and trigger public unease.

“The state is currently facing many challenges. For this reason, the public needs to be reassured through good communication. The government requires figures capable of bridging state policies with public understanding,” said Marzuki Alie.

Forum participants also proposed that the government enhance the effectiveness of the presidential spokesperson function. Amid the surge of digital information flow and global political dynamics, the public is said to require official information sources capable of providing explanations quickly, measurably, and reassuringly.

“The government needs a spokesperson who is strong, credible, and able to explain policies clearly to the public. In the context of the surge of information flow and various speculations that develop, the presence of a government spokesperson is very important to provide measured, comprehensive explanations that do not create speculation in the public sphere,” said Melani Leimena Suharli.

Also highlighted was the increasingly strong influence of global geopolitical dynamics on national economic stability. Tensions in various regions, particularly in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, impact energy supply chains, international trade flows, and global investment movements.

This situation is seen as demanding that developing nations, including Indonesia, be more adaptive in formulating economic and diplomatic strategies to maintain fiscal stability, strengthen energy resilience, and maintain investment attractiveness amid increasing global uncertainty.

Global geopolitics has become an important premise determining the course of current governance. Conflicts in various regions can affect investments and economic performance, demanding Indonesia to carefully coordinate its diplomatic and economic strategies.