PDIP Sues Zulfan Lindan Over 2025 Demo Riot Accusations

The Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) is suing former NasDem Party politician Zulfan Lindan for allegedly spreading slander against the party. The lawsuit relates to comments made on the Total Politics podcast, uploaded on 9 February 2026, in an episode titled ‘Regarding Jokowi’s Political Future, Zulfan Lindan: Only Prabowo’s Circle Cares’, which had been viewed 126,000 times as of Thursday, 16 July 2026. PDIP filed the lawsuit for unlawful acts against Zulfan Lindan and PT Temukan Perspektif Indonesia, which oversees Total Politics, at the South Jakarta District Court. Total Politics founders Arie Putra and Budi Adiputro are also named as defendants. PDIP cadre Abdul Rohman registered the lawsuit on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, with case number 712/Pdt.G/2026/PN JKT.SEL. PDIP objects to Zulfan Lindan’s remarks which assumed the party was willing to attack the government by participating in the August 2025 demonstrations. Zulfan had claimed that President Prabowo Subianto often acceded to PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri’s requests, including returning the Wisma Yaso building, now the Satria Mandala Museum, providing IDR 200 billion, and freeing Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto through an amnesty to allow him to attend the party’s sixth congress. Ronny Talapessy, PDIP’s Central Executive Board Chair for National Legal System Reform and for Law and Advocacy, stated that Zulfan’s remarks were irresponsible and unverified. He said the party is exercising its legal rights through the lawsuit. Ronny emphasised the importance of being cautious when making statements, especially speculative ones that cannot be verified and are sensationalist. He noted that while democracy guarantees freedom of speech, its quality must be improved by avoiding controversial statements. Prior to the lawsuit, PDIP had sent a summons to the defendants and filed a complaint with the Press Council, attaching a right of reply to be published by Total Politics. PDIP claims Total Politics and Zulfan failed to comply with the Press Council’s recommendations, prompting the legal action. Ronny clarified that the lawsuit was an initiative of party cadres and the party’s Legal Aid and Advocacy Agency, not an instruction from Megawati. The plaintiffs are demanding the court declare the defendants have defamed the party, order them to issue a public apology, remove all related videos, and pay compensation of IDR 100 million.