PDIP Criticises Democratic Climate on Pancasila Anniversary
PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto stated that the essence of Pancasila is liberation and healthy democracy. Therefore, he said criticism should not be met with repressive actions by state authorities.
Hasto made these remarks during a speech at a Pancasila Birth Anniversary ceremony organised by the PDIP Central Leadership Council in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. He began by expressing PDIP’s concerns over the growing militarism in the country.
“PDIP is deeply concerned about the rise of militarism. We also reject all forms of silencing critical societal components, as frequently voiced by civil society recently,” Hasto told PDIP cadres and supporters on Saturday, 1 June 2026.
He added that critical thinking is a political responsibility for every Indonesian citizen out of love for the homeland. “Critical attitudes cannot be met with repression,” Hasto continued.
Hasto said public criticism reflects love for the nation and state. PDIP believes criticism is a vital pillar of governance.
“Thus, PDIP’s name is the Indonesian Democracy Party. We must not forget, based on our experience in government, that criticism is essential in a democracy,” he said.
During the event, Hasto also raised critical questions about the reality of Pancasila’s values in current national political policies. He noted a shift in Indonesia’s democratic substance, now perceived as centralised.
“We deeply regret that the political and economic democracy, which form the core substance of Indonesia’s democracy, has now shifted to a centralised system. Particularly during President Jokowi’s second term, Indonesia has transformed into a populist authoritarian state,” Hasto said.
He also highlighted the weakening of the legal system, which he claims has deviated from justice to serve power interests. “The legal system, which should prioritise justice, has been altered to submit to power. Even law enforcement officials and all state apparatus have been reduced to tools for electoral mobilisation and protectors of the power elite,” Hasto said.
“This occurred during the 2024 elections, and at the National Working Meeting, PDIP apologised to the Indonesian people for the change in power’s nature due to ambition,” he added.
He stated that without just legal supremacy, the nation’s political and economic structures will never be stable. “Without just laws, everything becomes expensive and uncertain,” he said.
Hasto then outlined General Chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri’s directive on restoring Sukarno’s geopolitical vision. He said Indonesia must be led by collective ideas, not individual ones.
In this vision, he said universities should be positioned as centres of science and technology mastery, or ‘city of intellect’. Hasto cited Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) as a centre for Pancasila and democracy, IPB for food sovereignty, and ITB for industrial and military technology.
“All strategic corridors in the Comprehensive and Planned National Development Pattern place universities in a central and strategic role. This comes from Mother Megawati Soekarnoputri,” he explained.
Additionally, Hasto conveyed Megawati’s message to party cadres to treat Pancasila’s Birth Anniversary as a source of struggle energy and to remain steadfastly on the side of the common people or Marhaen.
“Thus, under the direction of Situation Room Chief Mas Prananda Prabowo, our party protocol now includes the song ‘Bung Karno Bapak Marhaenis’. This serves to remind us that Pancasila is filled with narratives of siding with the unfairly treated, the marginalised, and the poor,” he concluded.