Prabowo thanks PDIP for sacrificing outside the government
In front of members of the MPR/DPR/DPD, President Prabowo Subianto expressed thanks to PDIP as the parliamentary party that is now outside the government’s power. He regarded that political position as a sacrifice.
Prabowo’s remarks came as he closed the government’s macroeconomic and fiscal policy outlook for 2027 in the parliamentary complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He began by appreciating the time given by the parliament to deliver the government’s views.
Prabowo acknowledged that not all factions in the DPR are part of his government. Only one faction sits outside the coalition, PDIP; he valued that political position.
“Indeed not all parties here are part of the government, and I respect that; our democracy needs check and balances. I understand and appreciate that PDIP is sacrificing to be outside the government,” he said at the meeting chaired by DPR Speaker Puan Maharani.
Because of that political position, Prabowo expressed thanks to PDIP. While he wishes for cooperation from all parties, he believes there should be a counterweight in parliament.
“I understand that, actually I would like to express my thanks to PDIP. You have contributed to our democracy; indeed I would like us to work together. If all parties were in government, how wonderful it would be, but perhaps not good; every leader must be prepared to be criticised,” he added.
“Gratitude from the depths of the heart”
Deputy Speaker of the DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad explained the reason for Prabowo’s thanks to PDIP for being outside the government. Dasco said the expression came from the deepest heart.
“Yes, what the President said is something we know; and if we look at it, it indeed comes from the deepest heart,” Dasco told reporters at the parliamentary complex, Senayan.
He also said Prabowo values the role of PDIP in keeping democracy alive. Moreover, according to him, Prabowo wants a counterweight in parliament.
“The expression and appreciation for PDIP Chairwoman Megawati and for PDIP is a sincere expression of gratitude for what the President said to keep democracy alive and for the constructive criticism that PDIP colleagues in parliament have offered during this government,” said Gerindra’s Acting Chairman.
“Indeed PDIP should be outside”
PDIP’s National Executive Board Chief Andreas Hugo Pareira responded by thanking Prabowo for the praise of being outside the government as an sacrifice. Andreas said the party ought to be outside, as it has long performed the function of a political party outside the government while providing positive criticisms, he told reporters.
The Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the DPR said PDIP is outside to provide a second opinion to Prabowo. This, he argued, enables Prabowo to improve the situation.
“In other words, to provide views, second opinions, to the government to improve this situation,” he said.
Andreas assessed that PDIP’s criticisms are not about feelings or emotions toward the government. He hopes Prabowo will view PDIP’s criticisms rationally.
“But he also said that there are many things he needs from PDIP’s viewpoints. This is not about feelings, but about how we see this rationally; that the criticisms are intended for good and that is what we have been doing,” he added.