PDI-P is the last hope as an opposition party to balance democracy

Critical and pro-democracy elements of civil society will fight together to defend democracy.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The General Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, delivered a political speech during the 51st Anniversary of PDI-P in Lenteng Agung, Jakarta, on Wednesday (10/1/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Political parties that act as opposition are still needed from the perspective of democracy and state administration. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle as the largest party is also expected to take on this role. If not, the rate of decline of democracy in Indonesia will become stronger and it will only be a matter of time before Indonesia becomes an authoritarian country.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) from Friday to Sunday (24-26/5/2024) will hold a national working meeting (rakernas) in Jakarta. In this V Rakernas, PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri will listen to input from all administrators of branch leadership councils and regional leadership councils.

This will be done by Megawati before deciding on PDI-P's political stance, whether to be inside or outside the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka government in October 2024.

Senior researcher from the Politics Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Lili Romli, said during an interview in Jakarta on Friday (May 24, 2024) that in election competition to vie for the position of president or prime minister, there will certainly be winners and losers. Ethically, the winner will govern, while the loser will stand outside the government or become the opposition.

Also read: Reaching the Highest Vote, PDI-P Touches on Moments Outside the Government as Opposition

KOMPAS/NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

LIPI Political Research Center Research Professor Lili Romli

Ethically too, the losing party is important to take on the position of opposition because the programs or political promises conveyed during the campaign are different from those of the winning party. Therefore, something different cannot possibly join in one camp within the government.

"In a democratic country, the existence of the opposition is very important to exercise control and supervision over the ruling party so that it does not abuse its power, abuse of power, carry out checks and balances, and carry out supervision so that "The policies implemented are not deviant," said Lili.

Also read: Won the Legislative Election, but Lost the Presidential Election, Could PDI-P Return to Opposition?

Above all, the role of the opposition is considered vital as a part of democracy and to maintain its dignity, avoiding falling into authoritarianism. If there is no opposition, the ruling party may potentially kill democracy and establish an authoritarian regime. "The role of opposition is needed to prevent such things from happening so that the space for political freedom remains," said Lili.

According to Lili, the public hopes that in the upcoming Rakernas V, PDI-P will take steps and a stance not to join the government and stand as an opposition party. If PDI-P does not take a position as an opposition, the public will certainly be disappointed. "It is not only about the government having no one to control and supervise it, but it is also related to the sustainability of democracy," he said.

Significant role

Lili believes that PDI-P is capable of taking on the role of opposition in the upcoming government. PDI-P has done this during the 10-year administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. At that time, PDI-P's role as an opposition party was significant, as its members vocally supervised and controlled the government's actions.

Also read: Which political party dares to be in opposition?

He also disagrees with the notion that members of parliament will still play their oversight function even if their party is in a coalition with the government. Based on experience so far, parties that are part of the government do not perform much in terms of control and oversight functions, resulting in many disappointing policies for the public. The condition of democracy also continues to decline.

"This is because the role of supervision and control is not effective. Representative institutions have become sterile. Their apologies are always the same, saying that even if they become part of the government, the function of supervision will be carried out. I am somewhat doubtful that they will effectively and significantly carry out the role of supervision," said Lili.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Chairman of Commission II Ahmad Doli Kurnia (left) shakes hands with Chairman of the General Election Commission Hasyim Asy'ari (right) at the building of the Indonesian Parliament, Jakarta, Tuesday (24/1/2024).

The Director of the Center for Media and Democracy at the Institute for Economic and Social Research, Education, and Information (LP3ES), Wijayanto, added that today all eyes - activists, academics, and pro-democracy advocates - are focused on the National Conference of the PDI-P party.

Because today, Indonesia is truly experiencing a setback in democracy. Slowly but surely, one by one, both pro-democracy actors and democracy-pillar institutions, such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Constitutional Court (MK), are experiencing a weakening. "Everything is being eroded," he said.

Also read: National Working Meeting Ready to be Held, PDI-P Immediately Discusses and Announces Political Stance

Therefore, according to Wijayanto, this PDI-P national meeting has become an important moment to fight for and defend democracy. The public still hopes that PDI-P can become a party that can save democracy and show supportive attitudes and behavior towards democracy by taking the path as opposition.

"Indeed, this opposition only exists in a presidential system. Nevertheless, my point is that checks and balances on power are very important. "If there is still a party with a significant number of seats and still wants to be outside the government and monitor the running of the government, in my opinion, that is the only moment for PDI-P," said Wijayanto.

TANGKAPAN LAYAR ZOOM

Director of the Center for Media and Democracy LP3ES Wijayanto

Consistency maintains democracy

It is true that there are other parties such as the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) who remain loyal outside. However, in terms of the number of seats in the House of Representatives, there is a significant difference in numbers between the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and PKS. Therefore, he urges PDI-P to consistently uphold democracy.

Also read: Considering Various Inputs, PDI-P Holds National Working Meeting to Formulate Political Direction

By observing PDI-P's recent attitude, it can be seen that there is a significant opportunity for PDI-P to become an open opposition. For example, PDI-P's presidential candidate, Ganjar Pranowo, has firmly rejected joining the cabinet. Megawati has also written about the need for the Constitutional Court to make fair decisions for democracy. Other critical attitudes have been conveyed by PDI-P elites.

"In my opinion, hopefully they will be strong enough and consistent in their words for the next five years. "PDI-P, as a party that was born with reform, we hope will become a party that can become the very last political party which should remain steadfast in blocking the pace of democratic decline which is currently taking place very rapidly," said Wijayanto.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Residents pass in front of a mural about regional head elections at the Kridosono Stadium, Kotabaru, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (21/10/2020).

Moreover, this hope is bolstered by PDI-P's position, which has a tradition of being an opposition party, even for 10 years during the Yudhoyono government. According to Wijayanto, this would be a reasonable expectation for PDI-P to take the path of opposition.

"If PDI-P is truly consistent in staying outside the government, meaningful opposition can be hoped for, unlike in the period between 2019 and 2024. We know how costly it is when everyone is in power. So many laws passed without discussion. Therefore, this cannot happen again. The price is too high for Indonesian democracy," said Wijayanto.

How expensive it is when everyone is in power. So many laws pass without discussion.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The Chairperson of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, led the closing ceremony of the PDI-P's Second National Working Meeting at the PDI Perjuangan Party School in Lenteng Agung, Jakarta on Thursday (23/6/2022).

Wijayanto also believes that PDI-P will not walk alone when taking the right stance to defend democracy. There are critical and pro-democracy elements of civil society who will join the fight together. "They will be happy to be friends as a coalition of ideas to defend democracy, not a coalition for ministerial positions, let alone for short-term political interests," he said.

Also read: Megawati Reminds Cadres Not to Be Afraid to Face Practical Political Siege

If PDI-P joins the government of Prabowo-Gibran, the democratic situation that will occur later will only be the same as 2019-2024, even more serious and worse. So much damage has been done, especially to democratic institutions. Then, the tradition of monitoring power is also increasingly lost.

"The emergence of new structures that lead back to authoritarianism will occur. It is not the reformists that will be suppressed, but rather the new authoritarian regime will be perpetuated, like the dual function of ABRI and the discourse on direct presidential elections becoming indirectly changeable," said Wijayanto.

Other issues, such as the dual function of the Indonesian National Police, can also be added. "So, that is what we are concerned about for the future. Gradually, we will become fully authoritarian. When that happens, it will require a very, very hard effort to start the process of democratization. We do not want to pass on to our descendants a system like that," said Wijayanto.