Senior PDI-P Politician Panda Nababan Passes Away at 82
Senior PDI-P politician and veteran journalist Pandapotan Panda Nababan passed away at the age of 82 at his home in South Tangerang on Monday.
Portal Islam 
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Indonesian politics is mourning the loss of a prominent figure. Pandapotan Nababan, widely known as Panda Nababan and a senior politician from the PDI-P (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle), passed away on Monday morning, November 9, 2026. He breathed his last at 09:37 WIB (UTC+7) at his residence in the Pondok Aren area of South Tangerang, Banten, at the age of 82.
Guntur Romli, the spokesperson for the DPP (Dewan Pimpinan Pusat, Central Executive Board) of PDI-P, confirmed the news of the politician's passing. According to reports from ANTARA (the state-owned Indonesian news agency), Panda Nababan passed away after a battle with leukemia. "It is true, we are deeply saddened and have lost a fighter figure," Guntur stated when confirmed in Jakarta.
The Track Record and Career of Panda Nababan
Panda Nababan was known for having a long career spanning both journalism and politics. According to reports from CNN Indonesia (a prominent Indonesian news network), the man born on February 13, 1944, in Tapanuli began his journey as a journalist at Warta Harian in 1969. He then pursued a career as an editor at Sinar Harapan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Prioritas, and Head of Research and Development at Media Indonesia.
His political career began in 1993 with the PDI, before eventually joining Megawati Soekarnoputri’s faction in PDI-P in 1998. Throughout his career as a politician, Panda served as a member of the DPR RI (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia, the People's Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia) for three terms from 1999 to 2012, serving in Commissions II and III as well as a member of the DPR's Steering Committee (Bamus).
An Outspoken Figure
In the political sphere, Panda Nababan was known as a bold and outspoken figure when delivering his analyses. He frequently highlighted various national political dynamics, ranging from relationships between political figures to their performance as legislators. His political career also included a legal chapter when he was convicted in a bribery case involving traveler's checks for the election of the Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (Indonesia's central bank) and served a 17-month prison sentence.
Until the end of his life, Panda remained active in sharing political viewpoints through various podcasts, including during the 2024 general election period. His body is currently resting at the funeral home located on Jalan Raya Jombang, Gang Damai Number 9, RT 04/RW 04, Pondok Jaya, Pondok Aren, South Tangerang.
Life Reflections from an Islamic Perspective
The departure of a public figure serves as a reminder to us all of the temporary nature of worldly life. Every living soul will surely return to the Creator at the appointed time.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَاۤىِٕقَةُ الْمَوْتِۗ وَاِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ اُجُوْرَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ ۗ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَاُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيٰوةُ الدُّنْيَآ اِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُوْرِ ﴿١٨٥﴾
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
Qur'an, Surah Aal-i-Imraan [3]: 185 (Sahih International)
May the grieving family be granted steadfastness and patience in facing this calamity. We pray that all of the deceased's good deeds are accepted by Allah and that all his shortcomings are forgiven.
