PDIP Responds to Allegations of Tiyo's Ties to Party Figures

Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Said Abdullah, has denied any link between his party and the activities of former Gadjah Mada University Student Executive Board Chair, Tiyo Ardianto. According to him, allegations that Tiyo used a vehicle belonging to the younger sibling of Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso, the in-law of retired General Andhika Perkasa who is a PDIP cadre, are too hyperbolic. “In my opinion, making such connections makes no sense at all,” Said stated at the DPR, MPR, and DPD complex on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.

He emphasised that PDIP has never been involved in dirty political tactics, including using figures to organise student groups as pawns to attack the government. Moreover, he said, Tiyo, as a critical student, certainly possesses sound reasoning and would be difficult to command in the name of a political party’s or any other group’s interests for personal gain. “For PDIP, anyone who demonstrates, as long as they are not vandalising, voicing their aspirations is legitimate,” Said remarked.

Nevertheless, he urged that any criticism conveyed by students or civil society be delivered with greater wisdom and prudence. He claimed the government is fundamentally open to criticism. “Basically, the government responds. But, I do not know who is communicating it,” said the Chair of the DPR Budget Committee.

Meanwhile, several student representatives claiming to be from the United BEM Alliance highlighted the ownership of the Toyota Fortuner vehicle used by Tiyo Ardianto. The alliance alleged the vehicle is suspected to be linked to a certain political party network. In its statement, the United BEM Alliance stated the car used by Tiyo is allegedly registered under the name of Siti Nuraini, the younger sibling of Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso. The retired general is said to be the in-law of retired General Andhika Perkasa, a PDIP cadre and member of Ganjar Pranowo’s campaign team in the 2024 presidential election.