PKB Snipes at 'Grey' PDIP, Megawati's Aide Asks 'Who is Jazilul?'

PKB Deputy Chair Jazilul Fawaid has taken a swipe at PDIP after one of its senior figures, former Lemhannas Governor Andi Widjajanto, was spotted at a student protest near the Bundaran HI roundabout last Friday. Jazilul urged PDIP to take a firm stance on its position within the government, rather than remaining ambiguous. “If you are in the opposition, be the opposition. Don’t be grey. Because we are all working hard to realise what the President has promised,” Jazilul said at the parliament complex on Thursday (18/6). He noted that all parties are currently cooperating to support the government’s programmes, which requires a commitment to unity and solidarity. Jazilul stressed that the government coalition does not mind whether a party chooses to be inside or outside the administration, but he objected to any party adopting an ambiguous position. “If there is an impression of disruption, that is not good for running the programmes. So, the position should just be gentle,” he said. The PKB faction leader in the House of Representatives stated that PDIP’s current position is not yet clear, and he does not understand the party’s role as a balancer. “Not yet [firm]. Because so far there has been that impression, here and there, the position is not yet firm. What kind of balancing act is that, I don’t understand,” he said. PDIP DPP Chair Said Abdullah had previously stressed that PDIP was not involved in the student demonstrations in Jakarta and other regions, and that the party’s position has been firm from the start. He also stated that Andi Widjajanto’s presence at the Bundaran HI protest had nothing to do with the party. In response, PDIP DPP Chair Deddy Yevry Sitorus, a close aide to Megawati Soekarnoputri, hit back at PKB. He told Jazilul to mind his own party’s business and not interfere in others, emphasising that PDIP’s stance is a firm organisational decision made through its congress. “It is not for cadres of other parties to arbitrarily pressure us to do anything. Who does he think he is?” Deddy retorted. He also suggested Jazilul improve his understanding of government systems, particularly the difference between parliamentary and presidential systems, arguing that the concept of opposition is a parliamentary system construct. Deddy clarified that PDIP’s position is clearly outside the government, serving as a balancing force, a role he deemed crucial given the House of Representatives is dominated by government parties.