Response: Thanks to Prabowo, PDI-P says it defends the government in the proper way.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Chair of the DPR’s Commission II from PDI-P, Aria Bima, has stressed that PDI-P’s criticisms are a form of defending the government of the Republic of Indonesia in the proper manner within a democracy. He made the remark in response to President Prabowo Subianto’s address to the DPR, in which he thanked PDI-P for its pointed criticisms of the government. ‘What Mr Prabowo said earlier is, in fact, the marwah of PDI-P — another way of saying that being critical within the context of checks and balances also defends the government. But in the proper way,’ Aria said at the DPR building in Jakarta on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. According to Aria, the measure of the ‘proper way’ to criticise the government for PDI-P is to base it on the Constitution, the ideology of Pancasila, and the people’s interests. In the same occasion, Aria also stated that PDI-P does not adopt an a priori stance towards the Prabowo administration, even though it has chosen to operate outside the cabinet. He emphasised that his party is not antagonistic or merely lob- ing criticisms without basis. ‘PDI-P has never been a priori with the government. PDI Perjuangan does not sneer at government policies. PDI Perjuangan is also not anti-government,’ he said. He noted that PDI-P’s current position is as the government’s ‘strategic partner’. ‘That is the designation as a strategic partner. But we will voice ourselves loudly, be critical, be argumentative, and offer alternatives when it concerns the people’s interests, the Constitution, and Pancasila,’ he asserted. Aria argued that the party’s presence outside the government is important to guarding the oversight of power. He stressed that Parliament requires a persistent critical force to keep democracy healthy. ‘Whatever Parliament may be, it needs a persistent critical force. A party outside the government can provide criticisms that truly articulate alternative voices or thoughts considered necessary for the people’s interests,’ he concluded. Earlier reports said Prabowo admitted feeling saddened by the harsh criticisms from PDI-P members outside the government. ‘Sometimes, late at night before I sleep, my heart is heavy. These PDI-P members’ criticisms can be very harsh,’ Prabowo said, prompting laughter from meeting participants. Nevertheless, Prabowo said he understood that PDI-P’s criticisms are part of the mechanism of oversight of the government. Prabowo also thanked PDI-P for its role in safeguarding democracy through checks and balances outside the government.