PDI Perjuangan Denies Orchestrating Protests, Cites Government Weakness

Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary-General of Indonesia's PDI Perjuangan party, has vehemently denied claims that his party is behind a series of demonstrations across the country over the past year. Kristiyanto dismissed these accusations as a reflection of a "weak" government administration that resorts to scapegoating when faced with problems.

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These various accusations against PDI Perjuangan show its weakness within our government system, so what I said earlier, it tends to justify, including when there is a problem, it tends to look for a scapegoat. That shows the nature of an authoritarian.

"These various accusations against PDI Perjuangan show its weakness within our government system, so what I said earlier, it tends to justify, including when there is a problem, it tends to look for a scapegoat. That shows the nature of an authoritarian," Kristiyanto stated on Monday. He drew parallels to the 1996 Kudatuli incident, where he claims scapegoats were sought to cover up internal power struggles.

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So the same as before, July 27. A scapegoat was sought.

Kristiyanto further criticized the government's approach, suggesting it deviates from prioritizing the people's interests. He argued that the focus has shifted to maintaining the status quo of power, which he believes leads to corruption. He also expressed concern over the state of Indonesian democracy, referencing a V-Dem Institute report that suggests the country is no longer a full democracy due to tendencies toward "legal authoritarianism."

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Because for example, the 1965 Cold War battle caused the PKI to be disbanded. That was an external shock. Well, if it's internal, it's also a change from the aspect of political behavior, the power behavior of the rulers because their power can corrupt.