Golkar: Misbakhun’s Criticism of Finance Minister Purbaya Is Input, Not a Reprimand

Deputy Chairperson Of The Golkar Party DPP, Idrus Marham (doc VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party DPP, Idrus Marham, straightened out that his statement regarding the criticism of the Chairman of Commission XI of the DPR, Mukhamad Misbakhun, against the Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadivewa was not a form of reprimand, but input to maintain the harmony of political communication within the governing coalition.

According to Idrus, differences in style and character between politics are normal, but it needs to be balanced with a wise way of communicating so as not to cause misunderstandings.

"We realize that everyone has their own style and character. But in political communication, it is necessary to balance between truth and understanding, borrow the term Javanese culture," said Idrus in Jakarta, Sunday, October 19.

He explained that every public statement must not only be true in substance, but also conveyed in a way that reflects political ethics.

"What is said must contain the value of the truth, but the way of conveying it must also be true. If both are maintained, productive harmony will be created," he said.

Idrus emphasized that his comments were not intended as a warning to Misbakhun, but a common reminder for all Golkar cadres and members of the Advanced Indonesia Coalition so that communication remained constructive.

"This is not a warning, but input. We are a big family in the Advanced Indonesia Coalition and the Red and White Cabinet. So, political communication must remain cool and support each other," he said.

Previously, Misbakhun had criticized the Minister of Finance for Purbaya not to comment too often on other ministry policies and focused on the grand draft of the national economy. The criticism arose after Purbaya highlighted the low absorption of the Free Nutrition Food program (MBG) budget and the change in the target deficit for the 2025 State Budget.

Responding to this, Idrus assessed that the spirit of supervision of the DPR needed to continue, but in the corridor of constructive communication.

"I understand Pak Misbakhun's spirit. But as a cadre of big parties, every statement should be conveyed in the spirit of togetherness so as not to cause a impression of disharmony at the beginning of the government," said Idrus.

He added that good communication between the executive and the legislature would be an important foundation for the stability of the Prabowo-Gibran government.

"Criticism is still needed, but it must be in the spirit of strengthening the government, not adding to friction," he said.

Meanwhile, researcher from the Indonesian Parliamentary Concerned Community Forum (Formappi) assessed that Minister of Finance Purbaya's statement about the low budget absorption was an important reminder for the DPR to strengthen its supervisory function.

"If the DPR carries out its control function optimally, Purbaya does not need to remind again. The statement should be read as a reflection, not an attack," said Formappi researcher in a written statement.

Both Idrus and Formappi's views both emphasize the importance of collaborative and constructive inter-institutional communication so that economic policies and prorakyat programs can run effectively without causing unnecessary political friction.