Puan Responds to 'Grey Politics' Jab at PDIP: No, We Are Clear

PDIP Chair Puan Maharani briefly responded to a number of criticisms regarding the party’s political stance in relation to recent waves of student demonstrations. After chairing a DPR plenary session with Deputy Speaker from PKB, Puan denied that PDIP is being ambiguous about its position in the government. She asserted that PDIP has had a clear political stance from the start. “No, we are clear,” she said briefly at the parliamentary complex on Thursday (2/7). Puan did not elaborate further on the clear stance she was referring to.

Jabs at PDIP’s stance were previously made by a number of elites from government coalition parties, such as PKB and Golkar. PKB Deputy Chair Jazilul Fawaid reminded PDIP to be firm, or not grey, about its position in the government. Jazilul particularly highlighted the presence of one of its leading cadres, former Lemhannas Governor Andi Widjajanto, at a student action around the HI Roundabout some time ago. “If you are in the opposition, be in the opposition. Don’t be grey. Because we are all fighting hard to realise what the President promised,” he said.

Golkar Party Secretary General Muhammad Sarmuji stated that his party respects PDIP’s political stance, which its senior officials have described as a balancing force. However, Sarmuji admitted he does not understand the meaning of that position. He said he would not interfere and would let the people judge. “What exactly has been balanced so far? The people will judge,” said Sarmuji.

PDIP drew criticism from coalition parties after Andi Widjajanto participated in a student action around the HI Roundabout on Friday (12/6). The PDIP Central Board asserted that it was not involved in and did not organise any party in the demonstrations in several regions, including at the HI Roundabout some time ago by students and the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI). PDIP Central Board Chair Said Abdullah stated that this party stance was an instruction from Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri. “In accordance with the instruction of the Chairperson, regarding the various demonstrations, both at the end of last August and the student protests, there was absolutely no involvement from PDIP,” said Said at the parliamentary complex on Wednesday (17/6). He requested that Andi’s presence not be interpreted as representing the party. “Including when it was monitored by various parties, the participation or sighting of someone like Andi Widjajanto should not be interpreted as representing PDI Perjuangan,” he said.