PDIP Concerned Over Rising Militarism and Suppression of Criticism

PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto said the party is concerned about rising militarism coupled with the suppression of freedom of expression. In his speech at the Pancasila Day commemoration event, Hasto stated that humanity should be a reality in daily life, manifesting as freedom from fear, freedom of speech, association, and assembly. He added that this humanity opposes abuses of state apparatus power meant to protect the people.

“PDIP is deeply concerned about rising militarism. We also reject all forms of silencing critical societal elements, as frequently voiced by civil society recently,” Hasto said at the PDIP Party School in South Jakarta on 1 June 2026.

According to Hasto, critical thinking is a political responsibility of every Indonesian citizen due to love for the homeland. Criticism cannot be met with repression.

“PDIP is the Indonesian Democratic Party. We must not, based on our experience in government, overlook the importance of criticism in democracy,” he said.

Hasto also referenced former President Joko Widodo in his speech, lamenting that Indonesia’s political and economic democracy has shifted towards centralisation.

“Especially during President Jokowi’s second term, Indonesia has transformed into a populist authoritarian state,” Hasto said.

During the final years of Jokowi’s administration, he said, the legal system became subservient to power. Law enforcement agencies and state apparatus have been reduced to tools for electoral mobilisation and protectors of power elites.

“This happened during the 2024 elections, so at the National Working Conference, PDIP apologised to the Indonesian people for the transformation of power’s nature due to ambition,” Hasto stated.