Pramono Claims Those Who Leave Parties Never Succeed, PDIP Says It's Based on Experience

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung recently remarked that all those who leave their party never become great, during an event with PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin. PDIP stated that Pramono’s statement was based on his experience.

PDIP DPP Chairman Andreas Hugo Pareira said when contacted on Thursday (23/7/2026) that Pramono is a senior politician who has held various important positions in the executive and legislative branches. He added that Pramono has passed through many significant phases with PDIP, where many colleagues who previously walked alongside and struggled together later left the party.

Andreas said that among those who left PDIP, some went quietly, while others stabbed from behind. He noted that none of them became great after leaving PDIP. “From those individuals, some left on good terms, some left quietly, some left while stabbing from behind. And from those experiences, what Mas Pram said is true, none became great, some sank in political dynamics, and some even faced more tragic fates,” he said.

Pramono Anung attended the inauguration of PKB Branch Executive Boards across Indonesia in the Kota Tua area of Jakarta. In his speech, Pramono mentioned that everyone who leaves their party never becomes great. He initially recalled his long-standing relationship with PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, noting they often attended discussion forums together during the 1998 student movement.

“Firstly, I will start with the events from 1999 to 2004. Even before that, Cak Imin and I, back then still called Cak Imin, now the Chairman, during the ’98 student movement, we were often together in various discussion forums,” Pramono said in his speech at Taman Fatahilah, Kota Tua, Pinangsia, Taman Sari, West Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/7/2026).

He acknowledged Cak Imin’s journey in leading the party through numerous challenges. Pramono noted that PKB’s representation in the DPR once stood at only 28 seats. “I am among those who have observed how remarkable the PKB Chairman has been from 2005 until now, riding a roller coaster, up and down. At one point, the seats suddenly dropped to 28,” Pramono said. “But he is the one who persistently built this party. And now it is at its peak, with 68 seats. Even higher than in ’99, when it was 52 seats if I am not mistaken,” he added.

Pramono then highlighted PKB’s achievements under Cak Imin’s leadership. He mentioned having a brief chat about how those who leave their parties, including in PDIP and PKB, never become great. “Ladies and gentlemen, once again, PKB’s achievements and Mr Muhaimin Iskandar’s leadership are well proven,” Pramono said. “Earlier I whispered to him, ‘Cak, do you remember? Everyone who leaves their party never becomes great.’ It happens in PDIP, and it happens in PKB too,” he continued.