PDIP Responds to Prabowo Regarding Megawati's Decision to Remain in Opposition

PDIP parliamentary faction member Aria Bima has voiced his response to President Prabowo Subianto’s candid remarks regarding his sentiments towards PDIP’s decision to remain outside the government.

Bima, as he is commonly known, described PDIP’s stance, which was noted by Prabowo, as a form of criticism serving the purpose of checks and balances. He argued that such a position is a way of defending the government through alternative means.

“What Mr Prabowo conveyed today is actually the dignity of PDI Perjuangan; in other words, being critical within the context of checks and balances is also a way to defend the government, but in the correct manner,” Bema stated at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (20/5).

He added that defending the government correctly means acting in accordance with the constitution, ideology, and the interests of the people. Bima noted that these three indicators will continue to guide PDIP in monitoring and supervising the government.

“I believe this is what Mr Prabowo emphasised today, and Mr Prabowo realises the importance of the reformation spirit, which includes the existence of political parties or factions in the DPR that are not part of the government circle,” he said.

Bima assessed that the decision to remain outside the government is an important tradition in a democracy. He argued that parties must be brave enough to take such a stance if their endorsed candidates lose in a political contest. According to Bima, this is the approach PDIP has consistently taken, not only towards Prabowo but also towards the previous administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

“For example, PDI has been in the government twice, and twice during Mr SBY’s era, it was outside the government. Whatever the case, this parliament needs an existing critical force,” he said.

Prabowo concluded his one-hour and 40-minute speech at the DPR Plenary Session by mentioning PDIP’s position as the sole party outside the government. In a lighthearted tone, he admitted his desire for all political parties to join his government coalition, yet acknowledged that such a condition would not be beneficial for the sustainability of democracy.

Prabowo stated that democracy still requires an opposition to maintain checks and balances within the wheels of government. “I understand and comprehend that PDIP is making a sacrifice to remain outside the government; I understand that, and I actually want to say thank you to PDIP,” Prabowo said during his speech at the DPR plenary meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday (20/5).