PDIP Elite Responds to Prabowo: Criticism Is Not a Personal Attack

Chair of the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Honorary Affairs, Komaruddin Watubun, stressed that criticism of the government is not always pleasant to hear. He responded to President Prabowo Subianto’s earlier admission of feeling ‘crestfallen’ when confronted with criticism from PDIP members.

‘Criticism is not always comfortable or pleasant to hear. But it should be stressed that the criticism voiced by the PDI-P is not anti-personal hostility, but a form of political and moral responsibility to the people,’ Komaruddin said when contacted on Thursday, 21 May 2026.

A member of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) stressed that PDIP’s highest loyalty is not to an individual, but to the nation’s interests, democracy, and the reform agenda. Therefore, PDIP believes a good political ally is one who dares to remind when a policy is considered to have deviated or not in the people’s interests.

Komaruddin cited criticism of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG). He said while the programme is good, its on-the-ground implementation still has many problems. ‘Implementation is flawed in many respects and now it’s proven, right? The President yesterday admitted that he would halt several MBG kitchens,’ he said, citing Prabowo’s programme as one that needs criticising.

Komaruddin believes that criticism, in essence, aims to correct something that strays from the ideal target. He hopes Prabowo will accept PDIP criticism as an important part of the democratic process. ‘We hope the President does not see criticism as an attack, but as a corrective energy to strengthen the government,’ he said.

In the DPR plenary in Parliament on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, Prabowo read the Macro-Economic Framework of the Main Fiscal Policy (KEM-PPKF) of the Draft APBN 2027 in front of ministers, DPR members, and several party leaders. Toward the end of his two-hour speech, Prabowo touched on the role of PDIP which did not join the government coalition.

Prabowo expressed thanks to PDIP and said the bull party is making sacrifices. However, Prabowo said he was saddened to hear the various criticisms voiced by PDIP deputies in the DPR. ‘Sometimes, before I sleep at night, my heart is pained. These PDIP members’ criticisms can be quite harsh,’ he said in his DPR plenary speech, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Over time, the General Chairman of the Gerindra Party realised that PDIP members’ criticisms have particular reasons. He also said democracy requires oversight and checks and balances. ‘There is a saying that when someone reminds us, even if we do not like being warned, they are actually saving us,’ the former Defence Minister said.

Prabowo then expressed his wish that all political parties join the government. He added that every leader must be willing to be criticised and that government performance must be overseen. ‘Indeed, my aim is for a cooperative effort. If all parties were in government, how sweet it would be. How sweet it would be for me, but perhaps it would not be good,’ he said.