Jakarta – A proposal for a permanent coalition government in Indonesia is raising questions about political maneuvering in the wake of recent disasters and scrutiny of government policies. coordinating Minister for Investment and Mining Bahlil Lahadalia‘s suggestion, announced December 5th during a Golkar Party event attended by President Prabowo and vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is being viewed by political analysts as a direct response to criticism from PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar regarding the handling of the Sumatra floods and landslides. The debate highlights ongoing tensions within the ruling coalition as it navigates early challenges and sets the stage for the 2026 political landscape.
A proposal for a permanent coalition government in Indonesia is being viewed as a retaliatory move against a prominent political figure, according to a leading political analyst. The suggestion, made by Coordinating Minister for Investment and Mining Bahlil Lahadalia, appears to be a response to criticism leveled by PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as Cak Imin.
The dispute stems from Iskandar’s recent call for several ministers to take responsibility following a series of disasters in Sumatra. Iskandar had urged ministers of Energy and Mineral Resources, Environment and Forestry, and Environment to conduct a thorough evaluation of existing policies.
“Cak Imin’s statement was essentially a declaration of war,” said Adi Prayitno, Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia, during a discussion on the political climate leading up to 2026. “He called out several party leaders and officials who have been publicly criticized for potentially contributing to the environmental damage in Sumatra.”
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Prayitno explained that Bahlil responded by suggesting Iskandar also needed to reflect on his own actions. “Bahlil essentially said that if ‘tobat nasuha’ – seeking forgiveness – is the standard, then Cak Imin should also be held accountable,” Prayitno added.
The call for a permanent coalition, according to Prayitno, is a direct counter to Iskandar’s criticism. He believes Bahlil is attempting to discredit Iskandar by suggesting that those who previously opposed President Prabowo Subianto should not now claim credit for the government’s successes.
“Bahlil’s proposal for a permanent coalition is a clear message to Cak Imin,” Prayitno stated. “It’s a rebuke to anyone who was once an opponent of Prabowo but now seeks to portray themselves as a key supporter of the current administration.”
Prayitno emphasized that Bahlil and the Golkar party were early and consistent supporters of Prabowo, while Iskandar’s PKB joined the government later. “Bahlil, along with Golkar, stood with Prabowo from the beginning. The call for a permanent coalition is a way of reminding Cak Imin that PKB joined the government mid-stream and shouldn’t act as if they were instrumental in its formation.”
Bahlil initially raised the idea of a permanent coalition during a speech at the 61st anniversary celebration of the Golkar Party on December 5th. He argued that a stable government requires a strong and unified coalition.
“Golkar believes that the President needs stability, and we propose the formation of a permanent coalition to achieve that,” Bahlil Lahadalia said at the event, which was also attended by President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Bahlil expressed his desire for a coalition that wouldn’t see parties constantly joining and leaving, stating, “We don’t want a coalition that’s always in and out, always looking for favor everywhere.”
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and Chairman of PKB, Cak Imin, had called on three ministers to take responsibility following the disasters in Sumatra. He made the appeal during a workshop for vocational school principals in Bandung on December 1st.
“Today I sent a letter to the Ministers of Forestry, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Environment, to jointly evaluate all policies and measures. As a commitment and sincerity from us as a government. In the language of Nahdlatul Ulama, it’s ‘taubatan nasuha’ – sincere repentance,” Cak Imin said, as seen on the Kemenko Pemberdayaan Masyarakat’s YouTube account on December 3rd.
Iskandar’s statement came after floods and landslides devastated parts of Sumatra. While a tropical cyclone was initially identified as a contributing factor, attention has since turned to illegal logging as a potential cause.
“The apocalypse isn’t near, the apocalypse is already happening, due to our own negligence,” Cak Imin said. “May those who are experiencing this disaster receive help, and may we all be granted patience. Amen.”
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