Prabowo Claims PDIP's Heart Is 'Actually the Same' as Government Coalition

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the heart of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) is essentially the same as that of the government coalition parties. The Gerindra Party chairman made the remarks during a speech at the peak event commemorating the 28th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) at the Jakarta Convention Center on Thursday evening, 23 July 2026. According to Prabowo, competition and contestation are positive. “Sometimes we part ways, that is fine. Later we will reunite. PDIP’s heart is actually the same as ours. Just check. In their hearts, it is actually the same. The 1945 Constitution was created by Bung Karno, Bung Hatta, the founders of our nation. Their hearts are the same,” Prabowo said. The difference, Prabowo noted, is that PDIP has yet to formulate recommendations akin to those drawn up by the Ijtima Ulama. Prabowo stressed that criticism is actually good and can be a saving grace. “However, there is a difference between criticism and vilification. Right? Criticism and slander are different. But there is no problem. If we are right, if we uphold the truth, if we are on the right path, there is no problem; we will remain strong,” Prabowo stated. Nearly two years into Prabowo Subianto’s administration, PDIP remains the only parliamentary party outside the cabinet. Earlier this July, PDIP’s political direction within Indonesia’s constitutional landscape following its Sixth Congress was reaffirmed by Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri through an internal letter. The missive, numbered 1275/IN/DPP/VII/2026, contained Megawati’s message to cadres of the party bearing the white-snouted bull symbol regarding their position in the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Megawati declared that the presidential system of government adopted by Indonesia does not recognise the terms opposition and coalition as constitutional categories regulated by the constitution. According to her, Indonesian democracy is not a form of power blocs but rests on popular sovereignty and constitutional supremacy. She also reminded that Indonesian democracy must not move towards a concentration of power that weakens oversight and correction mechanisms. A healthy democracy, she said, actually requires a balance of power, respect for constitutional supremacy, and the moral courage to deliver criticism and corrections for the safety of the nation and state. For Megawati, without a balancing force, democracy loses its corrective power and authority potentially drifts away from the people’s interests. “It is in that context that PDI Perjuangan positions itself as a balancing party,” Megawati stated in the letter.