PDIP Dismisses Surabaya Secretary Over Ethics Violations, Denies Jokowi Visit as Sole Reason

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has dismissed Achmad Hidayat, secretary of its Surabaya branch, who reportedly visited President Joko Widodo's residence. PDIP Central Executive Board chairman Said Abdullah stated that the visit to Jokowi's home was not the sole reason for Hidayat's dismissal. He explained that the dismissal was purely due to a series of ethical violations that the party could not publicly disclose. "What actually happened is that Achmad Hidayat committed too many violations that we did not disclose to the public," Said said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Monday (14/9). Said, who is also the chairman of the East Java PDIP Regional Executive Board, also touched upon Hidayat's social media statement claiming he was willing to die for PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, despite his actions being contrary to that. "If he is now using the reason of visiting Mr. Jokowi's house for his dismissal, well, that's just how it is. Why would I believe someone like that? The public will believe it," Said stated. The chairman of the DPR's Budget Committee mentioned that Hidayat had committed serious violations as a party cadre, with allegations extending to civil and criminal matters. "There are civil matters, there are criminal matters. Well, for all parties who have been victimized by Achmad Hidayat, they are free to sue through law enforcement agencies," he said. Previously, PDIP Central Executive Board spokesman Aryo Seno Bagaskoro emphasized that dismissal is a logical consequence for cadres who defy the chain of command. He noted that dismissing cadres who violate rules is not a new practice within the organization. "Yes, this is not the first time the Party, as an ideological organization, has decided to carry out dismissals," Seno told CNNIndonesia.com on Monday. Seno asserted that PDIP will not tolerate any form of defiance, whether related to legal regulations or internal party rules. The enforcement of organizational discipline is a non-negotiable price that all cadres must adhere to. "Defiance against the state constitution, against the party constitution, must not be tolerated," he stressed. With the issuance of the dismissal decree, Seno stated that PDIP is now washing its hands of all matters concerning the former Deputy Secretary of the PDIP Surabaya City Branch. "Therefore, at this time, we are no longer competent in all matters concerning cadres who have been sanctioned with dismissal," said the young politician from Surabaya. Instead of engaging with political maneuvers from expelled cadres, Seno mentioned that the PDIP Central Executive Board has instructed all party machinery to go down to the grassroots, addressing real issues faced by the community, including disaster mitigation, in accordance with the instructions of PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri. "For us today, it is better for all the Party's energy and mutual cooperation to be focused on people-centric work, research, and managing disaster risks and the threat of El Nino in various affected areas," he said. Previously, Achmad Hidayat claimed he was dismissed through PDIP Central Executive Board Decree Number 105/KPTS/DPP/IX/2026, directly signed by Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri and Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto in Jakarta on September 4, 2026. In the decree, the PDIP Central Executive Board detailed a series of alleged ethical and disciplinary violations that led to Achmad's expulsion from party membership. These included abuse of authority and intimidation of party officials, among others. He suspected his dismissal was related to his visit to Solo. However, he stated that he accepted the party's decision gracefully. He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity PDIP gave him to help win the Surabaya regional elections for two terms for the Eri Cahyadi-Armuji pair, as well as to win for Tri Rismaharini in the East Java gubernatorial election in the Surabaya region. Achmad also confirmed that there had been no approaches from the PSI (Prosperous Indonesian Party) to date. "If the party's Central Executive Board currently sees my actions as a burden to the party's affairs, not to the nation's affairs, then so be it. Time will tell," he said.