TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo has announced her resignation from the House of Representatives (DPR) for the 2024-2029 term. The niece of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto previously served as the deputy chairperson of the DPR's Commission VII from the Gerindra Party faction.
Saraswati mentioned that her resignation from the DPR is related to statements that were considered hurtful to the public. 'With this, I declare my resignation as a member of the Indonesian Parliament to the Gerindra Party faction,' she said via her Instagram account on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
According to Saraswati, her resignation from the DPR is related to statements she made on the Antara TV radio show in February 2025. Rahayu stated that the statement was cut and became viral on social media in mid-August. "It was turned into several sentences by parties that wanted to incite public anger," she said.
Controversial Statement in February
The video Saraswati referred to was aired on YouTube Antara TV Indonesia titled 'Rahayu Saraswati Discusses Women's Issues to Creative Economic Collaboration' on February 28, 2025. The video lasts 42 minutes. According to Saraswati, the cut from the video that was deemed hurtful to the public came from minutes 25 to 27 of the said radio show.
In the video, Saraswati talked about entrepreneurship. She mentioned that the younger generation should take more initiative to venture into business and find jobs.
"I seek permission, I apologize, because perhaps I, from the millennial generation, have a slightly different view, due to the technological advancements in the world today, we shouldn't rely on sectors that have actually gone through automation," Saraswati said at minute 27 of the radio show aired six months ago.
Saraswati also encouraged young people to become entrepreneurs. "Young people, if you have creativity, become entrepreneurs. Be an entrepreneur. Instead of complaining that there are no jobs, create jobs for your friends," she said.
Saraswati suggested that people who can cook start a culinary business. While those who can sew, she urged to open a fashion business. "There are many other sectors that you can work in," she added.
Additionally, Saraswati advised the youth not to rely on labor-intensive sectors. However, she mentioned that she is confident that President Prabowo will improve labor-intensive sectors such as agro-industry and downstream industries.
Saraswati stated that food resilience is one of Prabowo's main focuses. Therefore, she urged young people with land to engage in food businesses by planting anything that can be grown.
Furthermore, Saraswati said that the youth cannot completely rely on the government to provide jobs. "Don't just rely, because if we still rely on labor-intensive sectors and rely on the government to provide the jobs, it means we're still in colonial times," she said.
Saraswati mentioned that people in colonial times could only hope for kings, queens, and nobles to provide them with jobs. "We have moved on from that," Saraswati said.
Saraswati mentioned that the viral cut from the video resurfaced in mid-August 2025. "Around two weeks before August 17," Saraswati said on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
Apology and Resignation
On Wednesday, February 10, 2025, Saraswati stated that the statement was cut and spread on social media to incite public anger. However, she still feels responsible for the statement.
Saraswati apologized for hurting the public. "I understand that my words have hurt many parties, especially those who are still struggling to support their families," said the daughter of Hashim Djojohadikusumo.
She admitted that she is a person with privilege from her family background. "Through this message, I express my deepest apologies for my words and mistakes," said Saraswati.
Saraswati also expressed her gratitude to the voters in the electoral districts of West Jakarta, East Jakarta, and the Thousand Islands who had voted her into the DPR. She promised to fulfill her responsibilities in those regions.
Additionally, Saraswati claimed that she will continue to fight politically outside the parliament after her resignation. "The struggle for a better Indonesia does not have to come from a seat in the DPR. We are political fighters. As long as there is no injustice, as long as there are still people who cannot smile, we must continue to fight endlessly," she said.
Gerindra's Response
The Secretary of the Gerindra Faction in the DPR, Bambang Haryadi, stated that their party respects her decision. 'The Gerindra Faction in the DPR respects this decision and will process it according to applicable laws and regulations,' Bambang said in a written statement on Wednesday.
According to Bambang, the process of Rahayu Saraswati's resignation will take time. For now, he said, Rahayu will be suspended from the DPR by Gerindra.
Bambang stated that the process will be carried out in accordance with administrative regulations. The Gerindra Faction will also coordinate with the Central Leadership Council of the Gerindra Party.
"We will ensure that all procedures are carried out in accordance with the regulations. The Gerindra Faction remains consistent in upholding institutional commitments and legal provisions," said Bambang.
Editor's Choice: Prabowo's Niece and Lawmaker Rahayu Saraswati Resigns from Indonesian Parliament
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
