PDIP Hits Back at PKB: Mind Your Own Party

Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Deddy Sitorus, has questioned the authority of National Awakening Party (PKB) Deputy Chairman Jazilul Fawaid. Jazilul had commented on PDIP’s ambiguous political stance as a balancing party to President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

Deddy stated that PDIP’s stance and position are organisational decisions ratified and agreed upon at the party’s congress and national working meeting. Furthermore, the position of a balancing party also stems from a decision by PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri as the holder of the prerogative mandate.

“So cadres from other parties cannot arbitrarily pressure us to do anything. Who does he think he is?” he said when contacted on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

Deddy was responding to Jazilul’s statement that PDIP’s stance as a balancing party gives a grey impression. Jazilul also urged PDIP to clarify its position, whether it is in opposition or supporting the government.

“My comment is, it is better for Jazilul to mind his own party rather than meddling in others’ affairs,” said the member of House of Representatives Commission II.

Deddy recommended that Jazilul deepen his literacy on government systems, particularly regarding parliamentary versus presidential systems. He explained that the terminology of opposition is only recognised in a parliamentary system, which usually consists of two dominant party blocs with conflicting ideologies.

As a result, when one party coalition wins an election, the other coalition immediately becomes the opposition in parliament by forming a shadow cabinet. These two blocs, Deddy said, are separated by a clear and firm system and ideological line.

Deddy said this condition is not the same as in Indonesia, which adopts a presidential system with a nearly uniform ideological basis, Pancasila. The differences lie only in derivative policies. Thus, the opposition function in a parliamentary context shifts to a checks and balances function by the House of Representatives (DPR).

“So politics in Indonesia relatively does not recognise coalitions needed to form a government, let alone an opposition which is a necessity in a parliamentary system. Does Jazilul understand this matter or not? If he understood, he should not have spoken like that,” said Deddy.

According to him, PDIP’s position is already clear: to be outside the government and act as a balancing force. This aims to counterbalance the dominance of power in Senayan.

“Why is it necessary to be a balancing force? Because the majority of the DPR is already controlled by parties that are in the government. How much clearer does this matter need to be for him?” he said.

Deddy admitted he does not know the motive behind Jazilul’s remarks. He suspects three things: Jazilul does not understand, wants to pit PDIP against the government, or is restless because PKB is not working optimally as a party or a faction in the DPR.

PKB Deputy Chairman Jazilul Fawaid assessed that the political position of PDIP remains ambiguous. Jazilul urged PDIP to confirm its position in President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s administration.

According to him, PDIP’s claim as a balancing party to the government has also not shown clarity. “Because so far there is an impression, the position here and there is unclear. What kind of balancing act, I do not know,” said Jazilul at the House of Representatives building, Jakarta, Thursday, 18 June 2026.

Jazilul made the statement in response to circulating news about the involvement of PDIP politician Andi Widjajanto in a student demonstration at the Bundaran HI, Jakarta, on Friday, 12 June 2026. The news sparked speculation that the bull party was the mastermind behind the action.

The member of House Commission III assessed that PDIP’s unclear stance brings negative consequences for government programmes. He said that making President Prabowo’s programmes a success requires unity, and coalition parties are currently striving to fulfil the head of state’s promises.

Meanwhile, PDIP’s stance is seen as potentially hindering the realisation of the Red and White Cabinet’s programmes. He therefore urged PDIP to clarify its position openly.

“Because we are all working hard to realise what the President has promised. All programmes have been launched. So, we hope the position is clear, not grey,” said the Commission III member.

Yesterday, PDIP Central Executive Board Chairman Said Abdullah denied allegations of the party’s involvement in the student movement. The Chairman of the DPR Budget Committee requested that Andi Widjajanto’s activities not be interpreted as PDIP’s political stance.

“The participation or sighting of Andi Widjajanto should not at all be interpreted as that being PDI Perjuangan,” Said stated at the DPR building on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.