PDIP: The Meeting Between Megawati And Prabowo Does Not Indicate An Entry Into The Cabinet

TEMPO/Muhammad Hidayat

PDIP: The Meeting Between Megawati And Prabowo Does Not Indicate An Entry Into The Cabinet

Friday, 17 Jan 2025

The Head of the Honorary Council of the Central Leadership Board (DPP) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Komarudin Watubun, stated that the positive relationship between Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri and President Prabowo Subianto does not necessitate PDIP's entry into the government. Komarudin indicated that the same logic applies to the potential meeting between Megawati and Prabowo.

He emphasized that as the party that won the 2024 elections in the House of Representatives, PDIP can continue to uphold checks and balances within the government. However, he also noted that PDIP has the opportunity to align with the government through political decisions in the House when it pertains to national interests. "If they communicate or even meet in the future, it does not imply that we must join the Cabinet," Komarudin remarked when contacted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. "It is not necessary to be in the government. However, friendships should be maintained."

A member of Commission II of the House, he mentioned that Megawati had signaled her relationship with Prabowo during her speech at the party's 52nd anniversary celebration on Friday, January 10, 2025. In her address, Megawati affirmed that her relationship with President Prabowo is amicable. The fifth president assured that she would not interfere with the president, even while being outside the government.

Although they have not met since the 2024 presidential election, Megawati assured that her communication with the former Minister of Defense would remain intact through intermediaries. "Well, is it not allowed? Of course, it is allowed. This is a principle. You stay here, and I will be over there with my group," Megawati stated at the party school in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. Senior PDIP politician Sidarto Danusubroto conveyed a message from Prabowo through a close associate to Megawati during the PDIP anniversary. "I conveyed Mr. Prabowo's message regarding his desire to meet with Mrs. Mega," Sidarto said when contacted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.