Muzani: Public Sphere Must Not Be Filled with Language That Degrades Human Dignity

People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairman Ahmad Muzani delivered a speech at the 2026 MPR Annual Session and Joint Session of the DPR-DPD. During the occasion, Muzani emphasised that democracy must remain responsible and free from insults among fellow citizens.

"This republic was able to stand not because of abundant wealth, nor because of international support that was available from the start, but because of the strength of a united people who believe that Indonesia is a shared home worth fighting for. Unity causes progress; if unity weakens, this nation’s energy will be exhausted on mutual suspicion and mutual negation," Muzani said in his speech at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8/2026).

Muzani assessed that freedom of expression must be conveyed with good character. "We have chosen the path of democracy. In managing aspirations and differing views, we may have different opinions, but those differences must be conveyed with good character and good language," he added.

The senior Gerindra Party politician stressed that democracy will not become stronger if the people engage in mutual disparagement. Muzani encouraged freedom of speech accompanied by argumentation.

"Democracy will not become stronger because we are harsher in our insults. Democracy will become strong if freedom of speech is accompanied by responsibility, if freedom of expression is delivered with argumentation, and if differences are not used as an excuse for humiliation," he stated.

Muzani then spoke about the public sphere, which must not be filled with degrading language. He argued that political differences should not be filled with division.

"We must not allow the public sphere to be filled with language that degrades human dignity. We should not let political differences ruin friendships, divide families, and sow hatred among fellow children of the nation," he said.

The MPR Annual Session and Joint Session of the DPR-DPD was also attended by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. In addition, Indonesia’s 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK), 11th Vice President Boediono, and 13th Vice President Ma’ruf Amin were also present.

Furthermore, the general chairpersons of political parties attended, including NasDem Chairman Surya Paloh, PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin), PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan, Democrat Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), and Golkar Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia.

Also in attendance were MPR Vice Chairpersons Eddy Soeparno, Bambang Wuryanto, and Rusdi Kirana; DPR Vice Chairpersons Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Saan Mustopa, and Sari Yuliati; as well as the wife of the late former President Abdurrahman Wahid, Sinta Nuriyah, and his daughter, Yenny Wahid.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Trade Minister Budi Santoso, Villages Minister Yandri Susanto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi, Religious Affairs Minister Nassarudin Umar, Social Affairs Minister Saiful Yusuf, State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Rini Widiyantini, and Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid were also present.

The session was also attended by Constitutional Court Chief Justice Suhartoyo, Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra, Head of the Presidential Communication Office M. Qodari, Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurrahman, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto.