PDIP East Java Wants Red Talks to Become a Platform for Public Aspirations
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) in East Java intends to make the ‘Red Talks’ forum a platform for accommodating the aspirations of the public and young people. This was stated by the Secretary of PDIP East Java, Deni Wicaksono, after the successful ‘Red Talks 2026: Nationalism Without Boundaries for the Generation’ event held at the Malang Creative Center.
Deni explained that the party wants Red Talks to expand its reach to various districts and cities, including university campuses, coffee shops, and cafes, to capture input from the smallest communities. He emphasised that PDIP will consistently hold Red Talks in different regions to allow all levels of society to convey their input to the government.
“We in PDIP will try to organise, accommodate aspirations, and then formulate them into policies, both internal party policies and by assigning our cadres in the legislative and executive branches,” Deni said on Saturday (25/7/2026).
He noted the various challenges raised by young people in Greater Malang, including criticisms from academics such as Rocky Gerung and Suko Widodo. Deni highlighted the challenge posed by Rocky Gerung regarding the continued relevance of Marhaenism for young activists and cadres. He stated that PDIP’s task is to make political parties an open space for young people, proving this by providing opportunities for youth to engage in discussions without necessarily becoming party officials or legislative candidates.
According to Deni, the issues facing today’s youth are highly varied, ranging from employment opportunities to the rising cost of living. He acknowledged that addressing these challenges requires cooperation from all stakeholders, particularly in areas like Malang City and Batu City where PDIP does not hold executive positions, necessitating strong communication between the legislative and executive branches.
Deni stressed that PDIP cadres must have substance in capturing the desires of young people, supported by the party’s internal school and training programmes to ensure the party’s branding is not empty. He added that coordination with the government remains a shared challenge to encourage young people to be more active and concerned about conditions in their immediate surroundings.
Citing a previous Red Talks event in Surabaya, Deni revealed that the party had already acted on various inputs, including the suggestion that political parties should not only deal with politics and government but also provide a space for youth creativity. As a result, PDIP will hold the Soekarno Cup in August, a football tournament for under-17 players, and the Soekarno Run.
The Deputy Speaker of the East Java Regional House of Representatives expressed surprise at the overwhelming enthusiasm of young people and students in Greater Malang, with the venue filled to capacity and some attendees standing outside. He apologised for the space limitations and stated that this high level of engagement represents a significant challenge and homework for PDIP East Java to accommodate all forms of input, criticism, and suggestions.