Puan appreciates Prabowo's praise for PDIP

Jakarta – Puan Maharani, chairwoman of the DPP PDI Perjuangan, has appreciated President Prabowo Subianto’s praise of the party during his plenary speech in the DPR RI, at the Nusantara Building, on Wednesday 20 May. ‘Of course we greatly appreciate that,’ Puan said when asked for comment at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday. Puan said PDIP is committed to offering input and criticism of the government’s direction. She stressed that PDIP’s criticisms are constructive for the welfare of the people. ‘The criticism is constructive and not negative; rather it provides positive input,’ she said. Regarding PDIP’s position as the sole parliamentary party outside the government, Puan said her party is not seeking to win or lose when voicing criticism, but rather to provide input for improvement. ‘This isn’t a case of one against seven (PDIP versus seven party fractions in the DPR). Rather, what we provide as input is input to make something constructive,’ she added. During the DPR plenary session in the Nusantara Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday 20 May, President Prabowo Subianto thanked PDIP for currently being the only party in Parliament outside the government. According to Prabowo, PDIP has helped safeguard democracy through the mechanism of mutual oversight and checks and balances, especially toward executive bodies that run the government. ‘Not all parties here are part of the government, and I respect that. Our democracy needs checks and balances. I understand and appreciate that PDIP sacrifices to be outside the government, I understand that. In fact, I want to thank PDIP. You have contributed to our democracy,’ the President said. Prabowo continued that he believes every leader should be willing to be criticised, and government institutions must have their work overseen. He conceded that if all parties supported the government, the impact would be detrimental to a democracy such as Indonesia. ‘Sometimes, late at night before bed, my heart is heavy; this PDIP member’s criticisms can be very sharp, but I realise that over time perhaps there is some basis; there is an old saying that ’If people remind us, even if we do not like being warned, they are actually saving us’. So, I thank you, I respect your sacrifices,’ Prabowo said.