PDIP Denies Andi Widjajanto's Presence at Bundaran HI Protest Represents Party Stance

Ketua DPP PDIP Said Abdullah has stated that the alleged presence of senior party cadre Andi Widjajanto at a demonstration near the Bundaran HI roundabout in Jakarta on Friday (12/6) should not be interpreted as representing the party. “Even if it was monitored by various parties, the participation or sighting of someone resembling Andi Widjajanto must not be interpreted as PDIP,” Said remarked at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (17/6). Said asserted that PDIP was not involved in and did not organise any parties in the demonstrations across several regions, including the one at Bundaran HI. He stated that this stance was a direct instruction from Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri. “In accordance with the instruction of the Chairperson, regarding the various demonstrations, both at the end of August and the recent student protests, there is absolutely no involvement from PDIP,” he said. Said stressed that PDIP would never engage in such methods, though he acknowledged that demonstrating is a constitutional right. “I can confirm and guarantee that PDIP will never be involved in such ways. For PDIP, whoever demonstrates, as long as they do not cause damage and are voicing aspirations, it is legitimate. That is the extent of it,” he stated. At the same time, Said also denied that the party was behind the sharp criticisms voiced by former UGM Student Executive Board (BEM) Chair Tiyo Ardianto. He emphasised that Tiyo’s familial or kinship ties with a PDIP cadre cannot automatically be interpreted as a political affiliation. Said asserted that accusations of affiliation based solely on family relationships are illogical. “If Tiyo has in-laws or family connections, it is inappropriate to make an issue of that closeness. But if that is being linked, in my opinion, it makes no sense at all,” he said. As of the writing of this report, CNNIndonesia.com had not obtained an official statement regarding Andi Widjajanto’s presence at the student protest site at Bundaran HI.