PKS on Permanent Coalition Proposal: It Must Not Be Narrowed to Elite Interests
PKS President Almuzzammil Yusuf has responded to a proposal by Golkar Party Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia regarding a permanent coalition. PKS affirmed that the concept of a permanent coalition must not be reduced to merely serving elite interests.
“I believe that what should be permanent in a permanent coalition is the interest of the nation and the state. That is what should be permanent. It cannot be narrowed down to elite interests — that is not permissible. In the context of a permanent coalition meaning that we build the best nation and state for our people, then yes,” said Almuzzammil after attending a NasDem Party iftar gathering in Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (19/2/2026).
Almuzzammil said the meaning of a permanent coalition must not be narrowly interpreted. He warned that the demonstrations of August 2025 must not be allowed to recur.
“But if a permanent coalition is interpreted narrowly, I think we should learn from the August demonstrations. The August demonstrations, the protests in Nepal, the protests in Bulgaria — I think we can learn that governments anywhere in the world must heed public aspirations,” said Almuzzammil.
Almuzzammil stated that any permanent coalition formed by elites must carry the backing of the people. He noted that Indonesian society today is highly critical and astute in addressing issues.
“I want to underline that a permanent coalition in the name of the elite must be united with the will of the people. It cannot be that elites form their own coalition and the people form theirs — that won’t work. I believe what happened in Nepal illustrates this,” said Almuzzammil.
“Today the people are very astute, very critical. Nepal experienced it, Bulgaria experienced it, and we experienced it last August. So I believe a permanent coalition is about bringing together the will of the people and the desires of the elite into one. That is what is enshrined in the objectives of our nation-building as set out in the constitution,” he added.
The permanent coalition discourse was initially put forward by Golkar Party Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia. The proposal was also one of the points agreed upon at Golkar’s National Leadership Meeting (Rapimnas).
“Golkar is pushing for a transformation of political cooperation patterns from mere tactical electoral coalitions towards the formation of an ideological and strategic Permanent Coalition, based on shared platforms and policy agendas,” said Golkar Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia in a written statement on Sunday (21/12/2025).
Bahlil explained that the rationale for forming a permanent coalition was to maintain the continuity of long-term national development. Golkar wants political stability throughout the course of governance.
“This Permanent Coalition is not merely built to win presidential contests, but is to be institutionalised as a binding form of political cooperation in parliament and government,” said Bahlil.