PDIP Politician Responds to Prabowo: The Criticism Is Well-Intentioned

ANDREAS Hugo Pareira, the Chair of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) from the PDIP faction, responded to President Prabowo Subianto’s remarks about his party. While delivering a speech at a DPR plenary meeting, Prabowo expressed thanks to PDIP for being outside the government and for providing oversight.

Andreas, who is also the Chair of the PDIP Central Leadership Council (DPP PDIP), said that his party should indeed be outside the government. ‘Thank you that the President gives praise, and PDIP should indeed be outside,’ said Andreas at the MPR/DPR/DPD building, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

According to him, PDIP must be outside the government to perform its function as a political party that balances the government. In doing so, he said, the ‘bull’ party could provide criticisms to improve government performance. Andreas said that the government needs to receive other opinions or a second opinion in its work.

Additionally, he responded to Prabowo’s remark that many criticisms from PDIP are considered harsh. Andreas urged the public to focus on Prabowo’s stance that he needs views from PDIP. ‘This is not a matter of feeling, but how we look at this rationally — that the criticisms are certainly well-intentioned and that is what we have been doing,’ Andreas said.

Prabowo previously said that criticisms from PDIP cadres made him sad. ‘I am at night before sleep, my heart is sad because this PDIP members’ criticisms are sometimes very harsh,’ Prabowo said during his address on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

The General Chairman of the Gerindra Party said that gradually he realised that criticisms from PDIP members have particular reasons. Therefore, Prabowo thanked them and considered it a sacrifice worthy of respect. ‘There is a proverb that says if someone reminds us, even though we do not like being warned, they are actually saving us,’ said the former Defence Minister.

Prabowo also said that democracy requires oversight and balancing or the principle of checks and balances. He appreciated PDIP’s contribution to democracy in Indonesia.

The President hopes all political parties can join the government he leads. ‘I want us to work together,’ Prabowo said. ‘If all parties were in government, it would be very nice for me, but perhaps not good.’

According to Prabowo, executive power requires oversight from other institutions. ‘Every leader must be willing to be criticised. Thank you for the oversight, my peers,’ he said.

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