Prabowo Confident PDIP Will Ultimately Join Forces to Defend the Nation

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has voiced his belief that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) is patriotic and consistent in upholding the national interest in defence of the nation and state.

He made the remarks before political party elites in Indonesia, including PDIP figure Djarot Syaiful Hidayat, at the 28th anniversary celebration of PKB in Jakarta on Thursday (23 January).

“And in the end, I also believe PDIP will stand with us in defending the state and the nation. That is my instinct, that is what my heart tells me,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo is convinced that PDIP acts patriotically, saying all are children of the Indonesian nation.

He said competition is healthy, noting that differences in political stances are perfectly normal.

“Sometimes we part ways — that’s no problem — later we will come together again. PDIP’s heart is actually the same as ours,” he said.

Prabowo expressed confidence that PDIP is also well-intentioned in wanting to build the Indonesian nation together.

“We have no problem with them. Being criticised is a good thing — criticism is safeguarding, criticism serves as a reminder,” he said.

PDIP Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri previously issued an internal letter explaining PDIP’s position as a counterweight to President Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White cabinet coalition.

In the letter, Megawati wrote that PDIP’s position as a balancing party had been conveyed at the party’s Sixth Congress in Badung Regency, Bali Province, on 1 August 2025. At that time, Megawati said, Indonesia, which adopts a presidential system, does not recognise the terms opposition and coalition.

“Indonesian democracy is not a democracy of power blocs, but a democracy anchored on the sovereignty of the people and the supremacy of the constitution,” Megawati wrote.

In this position, according to Megawati, the survival of the government is not determined by majority support in the House of Representatives. The President, she continued, also cannot be brought down merely for losing political support in parliament, except through the impeachment mechanism.

“This differs from a parliamentary system, where the government is formed by the majority party or coalition in parliament and must continuously maintain the confidence of parliament,” she said.

Megawati added that politics must not merely be a tool for seeking power and position. Politics, she said, must serve as an instrument for safeguarding a healthy, civilised and socially just democracy.

According to her, PDIP will continue to support government policies that side with the people, and vice versa.

“As a balancing party, PDIP does not position itself as a force that rejects the government a priori,” she said.