Said Abdullah Denies Allegations of Tiyo Ardianto's Closeness to PDIP: It Doesn't Make Sense

PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) Central Board Chairman Said Abdullah has refuted accusations from a student alliance, BEM Bersatu, suggesting a closeness between activist Tiyo Ardianto and PDIP figures. Said asserted there was absolutely no party involvement in mobilising demonstrators. “It is confirmed that PDI Perjuangan, in accordance with the Chairwoman’s directive, had no involvement whatsoever in the demonstrations, both at the end of August and the recent student protests, neither as cadres nor as members,” Said stated at the parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (17/6/2026).

Said emphasised that such actions are not the party’s modus operandi. He also addressed the presence of Andi Widjajanto, a known PDIP politician, among the crowd, insisting it should not be interpreted as party involvement. “The Chairwoman was firm because these are not the methods of PDI Perjuangan. Even if the presence of figures like Andi Widjajanto was monitored, it must not be construed as representing PDI Perjuangan,” he explained.

Responding to the specific allegation that a Fortuner vehicle used by Tiyo is registered under the name of Siti Nuraeni—the sister of retired Lieutenant General Setyo Sularso, who is a relative by marriage of retired General Andhika Perkasa—Said dismissed the connection as illogical. “If there is a family relation through marriage, that is not something we should problematise. But to link it to the party, in my opinion, makes no sense at all,” he said. He guaranteed that PDIP would never engage in such methods, adding that while anyone has the right to protest peacefully, the party does not organise or instruct students to demonstrate.

Previously, BEM Bersatu representative Rahmat Djimbula highlighted Tiyo Ardianto’s alleged links to a retired general’s network during a press conference in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta, on Tuesday (16/6/2026). The group based their claims on the vehicle registration and the presence of PDIP politician Andi Widjajanto at a protest. They also noted Tiyo’s scheduled appearance in a dialogue forum alongside figures like Said Didu, Roy Suryo, and Refly Harun. BEM Bersatu rejected crisis narratives they believe lack a solid data basis and insisted that student movements must remain the voice of the people, not tools for elite power struggles. They demanded the sterilisation of student movements from political funding and intervention, support for the free nutritious meal programme with improved governance, and a thorough, unbiased corruption crackdown. Tiyo Ardianto has not yet responded to requests for confirmation.