TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that the government needs criticism from non-governmental groups. Criticisms are necessary to correct and supervise the government’s performance. Despite the pain caused by criticism, Prabowo urged that it should not stop.
“Sometimes criticism hurts. It’s okay. Don’t stop criticizing,” Prabowo said while delivering a state speech at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Friday, August 15, 2025.
The Head of State aims to realize the prosperity of the people. To achieve this goal, Prabowo asked various elements of society to unite and work together.
“I believe and am confident that if we unite and work together, Insha Allah, the Indonesian nation will be strong and prosperous,” Prabowo stated.
Furthermore, the Chair of the Gerindra Party asked the government coalition to have the courage to supervise and correct. He stated that no coalition party should feel immune to the law.
“No one should feel stronger than the law and be beyond regulation,” he said.
On that occasion, the former defense minister felt destined to become the 8th president. This feeling arose because he would lead the celebration of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day.
Prabowo also felt that democracy had prevailed. As proof, he participated in general elections up to 5 times. Out of those, he lost four times.
“I took part in the elections 5 times. Alhamdulillah, I lost 4 times. Today I stand before this assembly,” he said.
The Prabowo administration is supported by parties that have joined the Coalition for Indonesia Moving Forward (KIM Plus). KIM consists of ten political parties that are members of the coalition, as well as several parties that are not. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) did not join the coalition.
The Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri, previously revealed that the PDIP is neither in opposition nor in the government coalition of President Prabowo Subianto. In her inaugural speech as chair of the PDIP for the 2025-2030 term, Megawati confirmed the party’s commitment to the people.
“PDI Perjuangan does not position itself as an opposition and also does not solely build a coalition of power,” Megawati said in front of the participants of the VI Congress of PDIP, at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, South Kuta, Badung, Bali, on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
She stated that PDIP will support Prabowo’s government policies that favor the general public and does not hesitate to criticize if the government deviates from the values of Pancasila.
