Jokowi-Megawati Tension Affects Future Government

Twice, the Chair of the Prabowo-Gibran TKN Team, Rosan Roeslani, visited Megawati. The long road of reconciliation continues to be pursued.

KOMPAS

The Palace said President Jokowi was ready to meet PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The fracture in the relationship between President Joko Widodo and the Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Megawati Soekarnoputri, is considered to have an impact on the steps of the presidential candidate with the most votes, Prabowo Subianto, to embrace all parties. The reconciliation effort is expected to take a long time, even though the relationship between Megawati and Prabowo appears to have no issues.

On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Wednesday (10/4/2024), the Chairman of the National Campaign Team for Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Rosan Roeslani, visited the residence of the Chairperson of the PDI-P twice in a day. His first visit was a courtesy call, while the second visit was said to convey a message from Prabowo. Regardless, the visit was part of efforts towards reconciliation between Prabowo and Megawati.

On the other hand, until the second day of Eid al-Fitr, there was no plan for a gathering between President Jokowi and the Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri. In 2023, Jokowi met with Megawati when announcing Ganjar as a presidential candidate in Batutulis, Bogor, West Java. A few days later, Jokowi, accompanied by Iriana, visited the residence of the 5th president of Indonesia on Teuku Umar Street.

Also read: Megawati meets Prabowo, rewards important values ​​for the good of the nation

Lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Politics, National University of Jakarta, Sirojudin Abbas, is of the view that the distance or gulf between the President and the General Chair of the PDI-P is currently getting wider and is still too hot to be able to bridged through Eid friendship. The two leaders are considered to need a long time to close the distance between them and cool the political temperature.

The two leaders are considered to need a long time to close the distance between them and cool the political temperature.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Multiple exposure when PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, Saturday (3/2/2024). Candidate pair number 3, presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo and vice presidential candidate Mahfud MD held a grand campaign entitled "Ganjar-Mahfud Total Winning Metal Greeting Concert".

"I think it will still take a long time for us to be able to sit together in one forum. Especially to be able to eat together and socialize at the dining table like we used to do before," said Sirojudin on Thursday (11/4/2024).

Not easy

According to Sirojudin, the situation will affect Prabowo's efforts to embrace all parties to reduce the potential for opposition and to facilitate his leadership of the government. Prabowo's steps become increasingly difficult if his political ideas are nothing more than sharing access to sources of power and economic resources.

Meanwhile, PDI-P has ideological roots, roots of idealism, as well as a history of very strong political opposition. On the other hand, PDI-P has great strength in the DPR as the winner of the 2024 Election.

"This situation will certainly not be easy for Mr. Prabowo to manage. Mr. Prabowo may ultimately have to be realistic and pragmatic," he said.

Instead of getting support from all parties, Prabowo must choose one even though it does not necessarily have to be decided immediately. If later the Constitutional Court (MK) confirms his victory, Prabowo still has time to negotiate until the presidential inauguration on October 20, 2024.

"Even after being inaugurated, he will definitely need time to consolidate his powers first," he said.

KOMPAS

PDI-P Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri assigned her daughter who is also the Head of DPP PDI-P, Puan Maharani, to establish communication with the winner of the most votes in the 2024 presidential election, Prabowo Subianto.

Just like with SBY

Similar views were expressed by political observer from Al-Azhar University Indonesia, Ujang Komarudin. According to Ujang, Jokowi's relationship with Megawati is said to be similar to Megawati's relationship with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY. Megawati's relationship with SBY has been rocky since the previous 2004 election and it still appears to be unresolved to this day.

On one hand, PDI-P is part of the cabinet. However, at the same time, they also criticize the Jokowi government. So, their relationship is not good.

The strained relationship between Jokowi and Megawati is evident from various criticisms directed by PDI-P figures towards the Jokowi administration. However, PDI-P is a part of the government's supporting party.

"On the one hand, PDI-P is part of the cabinet. At the same time, they also criticize the Jokowi administration. So, their relationship is not good," said Ujang.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, President Joko Widodo, PDI-P Chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri, Vice President-elect for 2019-2024 KH Ma’ruf Amin, Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto, and PDI-P DPP Chairman Prananda Prabowo (from left to right) attended the opening of the 5th PDI-P Congress at the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel in Bali on Thursday (8/8/2019).

Nevertheless, according to Ujang, the strained relationship between Jokowi and Megawati is not considered to affect Megawati's relationship with Prabowo. This is evident from Rosan's visit to Megawati's residence twice on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, and the meeting between Puan Maharani and Prabowo, which shows ongoing efforts to build communication between the two.

Also read: Prabowo Will Attract PDI-P, Democrats: Prabowo Might Become a Symbol of Unity

"This shows that the bad relationship between Jokowi and Megawati will not have an impact on Prabowo's government," said Ujang.

Previously, Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Ahmad Basarah stated that PDI-P has never had any personal issues with the Gerindra Party, and the same goes for Megawati and Prabowo. According to Basarah, the relationship remains excellent until today.