Prabowo Respects PDIP as Opposition, Says Gerindra Party

May 21, 2026 | 10:20 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Secretary General of Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that President Prabowo Subianto genuinely appreciates the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which is outside the government coalition. Dasco believes that Prabowo, as the Chair of the Gerindra Party, respects the role of PDIP under the leadership of Megawati Soekarnoputri."What was conveyed by the President, of course, we know earlier, and if we look at it, it indeed came from the deepest heart. The words and appreciation for the Chairwoman of PDIP, Mrs. Megawati, and for PDIP, are sincere expressions," he said at the complex of the House of Representatives, Jakarta, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.Dasco then mentioned that members of the DPR from the PDIP faction actively criticize Prabowo and the ministers in the Red and White Cabinet. He considers this as constructive criticism to enliven democracy."Then the constructive criticism that has been carried out by our PDIP friends in parliament, which has been going on during President Prabowo's administration," said the Deputy Speaker of the DPR.During the plenary session of the DPR on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Prabowo read the Main Points of the Macro Economic Policy Framework (KEM-PPKF) Draft State Budget for 2027 in front of the ministers, DPR members, and several chairpersons of political parties. Towards the end of his two-hour speech, Prabowo mentioned the role of PDIP that did not join the government coalition.Prabowo expressed his gratitude to PDIP and considered the party's sacrifice. Furthermore, he also admitted that he felt sad hearing various criticisms from members of the PDIP faction."Sometimes, before bedtime, I feel heartbroken. These PDIP members, sometimes their criticisms are so harsh," said Prabowo during his speech at the DPR plenary session in Jakarta on Wednesday.Gradually, he realized that the criticisms from PDIP members have specific reasons. Prabowo also stated that democracy requires supervision, balance, or the principle of checks and balances."There is a proverb that says when someone warns us, even though we don't like being cautioned, they actually save us," said the former Minister of Defense.Read: PDIP, Gerindra Share Common GroundClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News