NasDem Sumut Chairman Refutes Tempo: General Chairman Always Happy
Cadres of the NasDem Party in North Sumatra visited the party’s regional office in Medan City on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. They wished to voice their aspirations regarding the content of the reporting and the cover of this week’s Tempo magazine edition.
The Chairman of the NasDem North Sumatra Regional Leadership Council, Iskandar ST, claimed that the number of cadres who came that day reached more than a thousand. “Food was bought three times,” he said.
Iskandar stated that the protest had actually begun since the emergence of the Tempo Alus podcast discussing the Tempo Weekly edition titled PT NasDem Indonesia Raya Tbk. He claimed that many cadres were offended because they felt the dignity, honour, and respect of NasDem General Chairman Surya Paloh had been demeaned.
Not only the article’s content, but the Tempo cover that seemingly showed Surya Paloh in a helpless condition also angered the cadres. “In fact, our general chairman is always happy, cheerful, with no issues concerning him. Even last Saturday-Sunday, he was still on holiday on an island,” he said while laughing.
He also refuted the Tempo reporting that suggested the NasDem party was to be sold. “In fact, we know that NasDem does not want to be sold. NasDem is the soul of Mr Surya, his big dream and aspirations are in this party,” said Iskandar.
According to the man who is also a senior journalist, if Surya Paloh wanted to make money, tens of trillions could be obtained from political dowries during regional elections. Moreover, the information was that NasDem was to be sold for Rp 1 trillion. “One regional election would suffice if we wanted it that way,” he said.
Iskandar also touched on the party merger as written by Tempo. According to him, it is impossible for Surya Paloh to offer the NasDem Party for acquisition. Especially to be taken over, as that would not be equal. “The NasDem Party was founded with honour,” he said.
According to Iskandar, the NasDem Party affirms its support for President Prabowo and the government. Meanwhile, Surya Paloh refuses to place his cadres in the government as a form of respect. “He is self-aware that he did not fight and supported another pair during the presidential election,” he said.
NasDem cadres in Jakarta also stormed the Tempo office in the Palmerah area. They protested the main report of the 12 April 2026 Tempo magazine edition with the title “PT Nasdem Indonesia Raya Tbk” and the cover featuring a caricature of the NasDem Party General Chairman. The report revealed the idea of merging the NasDem Party with the Gerindra Party by Prabowo Subianto.
Tempo Editor-in-Chief Setri Yasra said the editorial team appreciates the NasDem cadres’ step to convey their aspirations directly. “Differences in perspective on reporting are a normal thing in democracy,” said Setri on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
In response to the substance of the demands from NasDem cadres, Setri affirmed that the main report published had gone through a journalistic process. “The reporting material published by Tempo is a journalistic work that has undergone verification processes, is accountable, and based on the Journalistic Code of Ethics,” she said.
In accordance with the mandate of Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press, they encourage that any input on journalistic products be resolved through the available mechanism, namely the Press Council.
“Regarding the impact of the main report cover that offends NasDem Party General Chairman Surya Paloh and NasDem Party cadres, we apologise,” said Setri.