In front of Prabowo, Puan touched on the issue of interest in dividing and attacking the DPR.

Chairman of the MPR Ahmad Muzani, Chairman of the DPR Puan Maharani and Chairman of the DPD Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin / ANTARA FOTO / Fauzan / bay / kye (ANTARA FOTO/FAUZAN)

JAKARTA - House of Representatives (DPR) Chairwoman Puan Maharani touched on the issue of information flow which sometimes causes hoaxes, including attacks on the DPR. He also touched on the practice of practices carried out for the sake of dividing the nation.

This was conveyed by Puan in the Plenary Meeting of the Opening of the 2026-2027 Session I Session at the Nusantara building, the parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, August 14 afternoon.

In his speech, Puan emphasized the importance of unity in the midst of the development of the digital space. According to him, the public must be smart in sorting out information based on facts and data, especially related to policies that touch on the interests of the people.

"In the midst of global uncertainty, geopolitical competition, economic fragmentation, and the rapid flow of information, we must keep the public space from being dominated by politics of hatred, polarization, and divisive interests," Puan said in his opening speech at the DPR session.

In this plenary meeting, President Prabowo Subianto was also present to deliver the Government's Explanation on the Draft Law on the State Budget (APBN) for the 2027 Fiscal Year, along with the Financial Statement.

In front of Prabowo and council members, Puan spoke about the development of the digital space which has opened up an increasingly wider space for the public to obtain information, convey aspirations, and provide criticism.

"However, the rapid flow of information also brings its own challenges in the form of disinformation, hoaxes, and manipulated content or released from its context, which can exacerbate polarization and blur the line between constructive criticism and divisive provocation," he said.

Puan also touched on the prevalence of attacks on the DPR in the digital space. Including regarding false news about the discussion of draft laws and other incorrect information.

"In the context of the DPR RI, various incorrect information was also found, such as false quotes on behalf of the leadership or members of the DPR, incorrect information regarding the DPR's attitude towards discussing the draft law, as well as the use of old videos (old footage) with new narratives that are not in accordance with the context," said Puan.

Puan said that this condition needs to be handled wisely and proportionately.

"Criticism, aspirations, and public supervision are an important part of democracy that must be respected. At the same time, false information needs to be straightened out quickly, openly, and based on facts," explained the former Coordinating Minister for Political, Social, and Cultural Affairs.

Puan assessed that the DPR and the people should not be positioned as two parties that face each other, even in conflict.

"As a representative of the people, the DPR RI has an obligation to continue to get closer to the community through openness, willingness to listen, communication, and real work that can be felt to be beneficial," said Puan.

"Therefore, maintaining a healthy digital space requires the role and maturity of all parties," he continued.

The former Coordinating Minister for the Indonesian Government hopes that the public will be more careful in receiving and disseminating information. Puan considers that media and digital platforms must also be more responsible.

"Meanwhile, the DPR and state institutions continue to strengthen transparency, improve communication, respond to criticism openly, and improve the quality of services and performance," he added.

"Political differences are normal in a democracy. We can have different views on how to build a country. However, we must unite in our goals, protect the people, strengthen sovereignty, advance prosperity, and realize social justice," added Puan.

Furthermore, Puan said unity also requires people's trust in state institutions.

"Trust can only grow if the country's policies are perceived as fair, public services are getting better, the law is enforced, the budget is managed transparently, and power is exercised as a trust," said Bung Karno's grandson.

Therefore, Puan considers good governance, public services, corruption eradication, legal certainty, and effective oversight to be an inseparable part of development politics and state budget politics in the 2027 Budget Year State Budget.

"Let us realize the 2027 Budget APBN as a political instrument of development that presents the state in the lives of the people, strengthens the state's commitment to the people, and increases the benefits of development for all," concluded Puan.