Ahead of Determining the PDI-P's Attitude, the Opposition Group is Considered Still Needed

PDI-P has not yet determined its position on government for the next five years, namely whether it will join or become the opposition.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri delivered a speech at the opening of the PDI-P National Work Meeting III at the PDI-P Party School in Lenteng Agung, Jakarta, on Tuesday (6/6/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — PDI Perjuangan, which wins the legislative election, will determine its position, namely whether it will be inside or outside the government for the next five years. The existence of ”opposition” is seen as still necessary to balance the role of the government. Simultaneously, civil society is also required to be more participatory.

The National Working Meeting (Rakernas) V PDI-P will be held on Friday-Sunday (24-26/5/2024) at Beach City International Stadium Ancol, Jakarta. As the winner of 110 parliamentary seats (18.97 percent), PDI-P has not yet determined its attitude towards the government of the elected president and vice president Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

A political researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Wasisto Raharjo Jati, said that the 5th National Conference of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) will be utilized to reaffirm political stance and position for 2024-2029, whether inside or outside the government.

"I think, (at) the National Working Meeting, PDI-P wants to emphasize its political stance and position for the next five years as a collective institutional stance. "This is of course part of efforts to end public speculation post-2024 Election," said Wasisto, when contacted, Thursday (23/5/2024).

Also read: Maintain Democracy, PDI-P and PKS are Expected to Stay Outside the Government

Although there are only two options, Wasisto is reluctant to guess the steps that will be taken by PDI-P because there are too many parameters in determining political positions and there are many speculations. Nevertheless, he sees that political attitudes outside of the government or opposition can affect the function of oversight.

Also read: Weak Opposition and Culture of Harmony

In order to balance and improve the democratic climate, according to Wasisto, there must remain political parties that are outside the government. Because, if there were no political parties outside the government, controversial legislation would easily pass.

I think that at the National Working Meeting, PDI-P will want to emphasize its political stance and position for the next five years as a collective institutional stance.

KOMPAS/ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

A member of the DPR from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Sihar PH Sitorus (left), submitted the general opinion files of the PDI-P faction regarding the 2024 State Budget Draft Law to the Vice Chairman of the DPR Rachmat Gobel (right) during a plenary meeting at the Parliament Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday (22/8/2023).

Regarding controversial legislation, Wasisto cited the Ibu Kota Nusantara law, revisions to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) law, revisions to the Mineral and Coal Mining law (Minerba), and the Job Creation law (Ciptaker). Discussions on these regulations smoothly occurred without much hindrance due to the weakened functions of DPR members from political parties in the government coalition as a result of compromise.

Also read: Indications of a Fat Cabinet and Neglected Public Interests

However, discussions about these regulations have garnered much criticism from the public, including widespread demonstrations. Despite this, the rules still passed due to the dominance of government supporters in parliament.

"Meaning, two sides, namely the opposition groups and civil society, must become a balance. Civil society alliances can become an effective pressure group as an external opposition (outside the government as well as the parliament)," said Wasisto.

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

Researcher at the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency, Wasisto Raharjo Jati, in Jakarta, Monday (14/8/2023).

The strength of civil society groups as external opposition can also cover the weaknesses of opposition political parties due to the dominance of government parties in parliament. The pressure from civil society and strong monitoring from opposition parties can balance the climate of democracy in the upcoming government.

So far, referring to Kompas R&D data, political parties supporting Prabowo-Gibran control 280 of the 580 seats or 48.27 percent of parliament, meaning they are still not a majority. However, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Nasdem Party said they were ready to cooperate with the next government. This means that The Prabowo-Gibran Coalition has the potential to get an additional 137 DPR seats from these two parties, making them dominant in parliament.

Also read: Prabowo's Safari is Assessed to Strengthen the Position of the Future Government

At the end of last April, the Secretary General of the Gerindra Party, Ahmad Muzani, mentioned that there would be non-coalition parties with Prabowo-Gibran who will join. Some communication was also established to embrace all groups in supporting the upcoming government.

Several political parties outside of the coalition are divided in their support for Anies-Muhaimin, including the Nasdem Party, PKB, and the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS). In addition, there are also supporters for Ganjar-Mahfud, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the United Development Party (PPP). However, the PDI-P has not officially announced its willingness to join or collaborate.

Also read: The Prabowo Coalition has prepared ministerial quotas for PKB and Nasdem

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (May 22, 2024), the General Secretary of PDI-P, Hasto Kristiyanto, stated that there is a possibility that his party will determine its political stance during the upcoming PDI-P National Congress. The central level party officials will listen to input from the PDI-P branch and regional level officials.

Hasto does not rule out the possibility that the announcement of the stance will be made during the closing of the fifth National Congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). "The congress, with all its dynamics, will listen to the voices of all participants. That is where the political stance will be announced at the party's congress closing," he said.