PDI-P is playing dual-track politics with the Prabowo Subianto administration. It is time for a firm stance.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) can no longer claim to be a balancing force. In reality, despite claiming to be outside the ruling government, this party is clearly playing a "two-track" political game. This indecisive political stance prevents PDI-P from strengthening the checks and balances mechanism, which has lately become increasingly weak.
Over the past two months, a number of PDI-P officials have begun to voice public criticism regarding some problematic policies of the Prabowo Subianto administration. For example, they criticized the free nutritious meals (MBG) program, which has been plagued by problems in its implementation, despite the program absorbing a significant portion of the education budget. Politicians from this party have also criticized the slow resolution of cases of serious human rights violations.
This criticism seems to reflect the PDI-P’s political stance toward the government. At their first national working meeting, held in Jakarta in January 2026, PDI-P General Chair Megawati Sukarnoputri emphasized PDI-P's position as a balancing force. However, to say that PDI-P has become a countervailing force is not entirely accurate. In reality, to date, PDI-P has not dared to assert its role as political opposition—a role that is crucial to the survival of democracy. Furthermore, in parliament, PDI-P has behaved like a political party rallied behind Prabowo.
PDI-P was among the parties that approved the revision of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law, which strengthens militarism—something that they previously strongly opposed. They also approved the 2026 budget to increase spending on the MBG program, despite its proven problems.
Most recently, the PDI-P House Faction did not emphatically oppose the idea of electing regional heads through the Regional Legislative Council, a concept which Prabowo has been pushing for. To date, camps within PDI-P are still working to restore the party's position within the government coalition.
So, it is clear that the party is pursuing a two-pronged political strategy. On the one hand, they appear to be standing up for the people—an image that has faded since PDI-P became a key supporter of President Joko Widodo's reign of power. On the other hand, they are reluctant to distance themselves from Prabowo's circle of power.
PDI-P calls its ambiguous political stance towards the government "the art of politics." However, in the current political landscape, this two-pronged approach is actually concerning. As the party that fared the best in the general election and the only party outside the ruling government coalition, PDI-P should have the courage to take a firm stance as the government's opposition.
The need for a strong opposition within parliament is more pressing than ever. Over the past year, Prabowo's rule has shown signs of becoming an authoritarian, autocratic regime. The government has become increasingly repressive, restricting civil liberties to secure ambitious projects that have been haphazardly prepared.
If Megawati truly cares about democracy, she should immediately stop her party's two-track politics and become a firm political opposition.
