The President's Presence at the DPR Plenary Session Must Make an Impact

BRIN political analyst Lili Romli regards President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to attend and personally deliver the Kerangka Ekonomi Makro dan Pokok-Pokok Kebijakan Fiskal (KEM-PPKF) RAPBN 2027 at the DPR RI plenary as a new phenomenon. She notes that the president’s physical presence at such an agenda breaks with the convention in which the government is typically represented by the Minister of Finance.

‘This is indeed new for the tradition of state governance where the president attends the plenary meeting,’ Lili told reporters on Wednesday 20 May.

Lili emphasised that the close relationship or direct communication between the president and members of the parliament at the plenary podium must be kept within the bounds of healthy governance. She hopes the direct presence of President Prabowo is not a political tactic to tame the parliament.

‘We hope the presence is not because of matters related to power consolidation, to weaken the parliament’s oversight functions, but to build communication and coordination for Indonesia’s development going forward,’ she said.

Furthermore, Lili assessed that the positive aspect of the president’s direct attendance is the creation of synergies in perspective between the government and the DPR. According to her, direct communication is needed so Indonesia has a policy shield solid enough to face global economic uncertainty. ‘Between the executive and the legislature there is a shared perspective to jointly address the economy so that it remains robust and stable,’ she added.

Amid public anxiety about the rupiah’s exchange rate and the Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG), Lili argued that the direct presence of a head of state is indeed urgent. According to her, the president must take direct action to restore market confidence. ‘I think yes (the President should appear), because otherwise, it could be dangerous,’ Lili said.

However, Lili stressed that mere speech would not be enough without real execution in the monetary and fiscal spheres. If the government fails to rein in rupiah weakness, the president’s appearance before the DPR could instead trigger a vote of no confidence from market players.

‘Nevertheless, optimism should be accompanied by steps to curb the rupiah’s decline. Without that, it could be counterproductive,’ she concluded. (Faj/P-3)

The Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, weighed in on President Prabowo Subianto’s target for the rupiah to trade in the Rp16,800–Rp17,500 per US dollar band.

President Prabowo Subianto also referenced alleged involvement by certain officials in illegal practices in the natural resources sector and urged citizens to report via video.

President Prabowo Subianto issued the Regulation on the Governance of Export of Natural Resources, mandating exports of palm oil and coal through a single appointed state-owned enterprise.

The DPR held a plenary session with the agenda including the delivery of the Macro Economic Framework and PKKF by the President.

The DPR approved five members of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) for the 2026–2031 period.