Protecting Democracy, Idrus Marham Reminds That Criticism Must Be Grounded in Ethics

Jakarta – Idrus Marham, Deputy Chairman of Golkar Party, has reminded Indonesians of the importance of maintaining ethics and values when criticising the government.

According to Idrus, criticism is an inseparable part of the democratic system. However, criticism must be delivered honestly, rationally, and not driven by certain interests that could damage the quality of democracy.

“Nowadays, many people struggle in the name of justice but do so unjustly. They fight for democracy but in undemocratic ways. They champion values but through means that lack values,” Idrus stated in a press release on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Idrus believes that critical attitudes in the democratisation process must still be grounded in a commitment to national advancement and Indonesia’s progress. Criticism, according to him, must be principled and guided by the state’s ideology and applicable legal rules.

“Critical attitudes in the democratisation process should indeed be carried out on the basis of national commitment to Indonesia’s progress, principled consistency, guided by Pancasila ideology and philosophy as well as laws and regulations, and also rational, objective, logical, and factual,” he said.

He also alluded to the possibility of interests behind funding flows given to certain parties in public discourse spaces.

“If funds are given to someone, it certainly cannot be without purpose. There must be a commitment behind it. This warrants suspicion of certain interests,” Idrus said.

Nevertheless, Idrus believes the government need not adopt a repressive stance towards criticism. What is needed is collective awareness that Indonesia is a shared home that must be cared for by all elements of the nation.

“The government need not be repressive. What matters is encouraging all parties to understand that Indonesia is our shared home that we must look after,” he said.

As Chairman of the Alumni Association of UIN Alauddin Makassar, Idrus also cautioned against allowing political debate to be driven by hatred towards certain individuals.

“Do not let hatred towards someone cause us to become unjust in our assessment,” he said.

On another note, Idrus also believes that the government’s political communication to the public still needs strengthening. According to him, the narrative built by the president’s aides, particularly the presidential spokesperson, in explaining government programmes has not yet been fully optimal.