Political Tensions Rise in Indonesia as Coalition Stability is Questioned After Sumatra Disaster
Indonesia’s political landscape is experiencing heightened tensions following a series of events sparked by the recent disaster in Sumatra. A proposal for a “permanent coalition” put forward by a key government figure is being interpreted as a direct response to calls for accountability from a rival political leader, raising questions about the long-term stability of the current governance.
The initial catalyst for the current political maneuvering was an appeal for “nasuha repentance” – a deeply religious call for sincere remorse and reform – issued by Coordinating Minister for PM and Chairman of the PKB party, Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as “Cak Imin.” On December 1st, Iskandar sent letters to the Minister of Forestry, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Minister of the Habitat, urging a joint evaluation of policies in the wake of devastating floods and landslides that impacted the Sumatra region. “Today I sent a letter…to jointly evaluate all our policies…as a form of our commitment and sincerity as a government,” Iskandar stated,as reported by the Coordinating Ministry for Community empowerment on December 3rd. The disaster, partially triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar, has also drawn scrutiny to the role of deforestation in exacerbating the crisis.
However, Iskandar’s call for repentance was swiftly met with criticism. According to Adi Prayitno,Executive Director of Indonesian Political Parameters (PPI),the move was perceived as provocative. “But because this is what talk is Muhaimin Iskandar,right? invite actual war,because those referred to are a number of party general chairs or party elites who may currently in many cases be mentioned by the public,it is considered to have contributed to the natural damage in Sumatra,” Prayitno explained during a discussion on December 6th,2025,focusing on the political impact of President Prabowo’s leadership. Prayitno further noted that a response emerged suggesting Iskandar himself should also undertake nasuha repentance.
The response came in the form of a proposal for a “permanent coalition” from Bahlil Lahadalia, Chairman of the Golkar Party. Presented at the Golkar Party’s 61st-anniversary event on december 5th, the proposal was framed as a necessity for strengthening governmental stability. “The Golkar Party is of the President’s view that a strong government requires stability. Through this honorable pulpit,allow us to suggest that a permanent coalition should be created,” Lahadalia declared,with President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming raka in attendance. Lahadalia emphasized a desire to avoid the “coalition in-out, coalition there, happy here, happy everywhere” dynamic, advocating for a solid and unified front supporting the Prabowo-Gibran government.
Prayitno interprets Lahadalia’s proposal as a calculated counterattack against Iskandar.He believes the call for a permanent coalition is a message to Iskandar and the PKB,highlighting the fact that Bahlil and Golkar have been consistently supportive of President Prabowo from the outset,unlike PKB,which joined the government later. “What’s even more amazing is that Bahlil…asked for a permanent coalition. For me, that was a counterattack against Cak Imin, a counterattack that no one, who was previously a rival, should ever support, as if they had the most merit in today’s government,” Prayitno asserted. He suggests Lahadalia is subtly reminding Iskandar that his support is not as foundational to the current administration as that of Golkar.
The underlying tension appears to stem from a perceived shift in political allegiances and the question of who deserves credit for the current government’s successes. The push for a permanent coalition signals a desire to solidify power and potentially marginalize those who were once considered opponents. As Indonesia navigates the aftermath of the Sumatra disaster and prepares for future political challenges,the stability of its governing coalition remains a critical factor.