PDI-P Immediately Issues Attitude Recommendations

PDI-P has not yet determined its position inside or outside government. Recommendations for attitudes are announced during the National Working Meeting.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A statue installation of a bull was displayed around the lobby of the venue for the Fifth National Congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle in Beach City International Jakarta, Ancol, Jakarta on Saturday (25/5/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P is still listening to input from its members to determine its stance within or outside the government. The announcement of a recommendation will be made at the closing of the PDI-P's Fifth National Working Meeting (Rakernas) at Beach City International Stadium, Ancol, Jakarta on Sunday, May 26, 2024. However, it is not impossible that an official stance will be taken during the PDI-P Congress in April 2025, as the party has done in the past.

Chair of the PDI-P Central Leadership Council (DPP), Puan Maharani, when met on the sidelines of the National Working Meeting agenda, said that her party listened to various input from regional administrators throughout Saturday (25/5/2024) evening. PDI-P's political stance will be announced directly by PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri.

When asked about the announcement of the party's stance to be made during the party's national meeting or congress, Puan asked the public to wait until Sunday. "The political stance will be handed over to the party leader (Megawati). We'll see tomorrow (Sunday), thank you," she said.

Separately, member of the Expert Team of the PDI-P's National Conference V, Andi Widjajanto, stated that regardless of the decision, whether inside or outside the government, the phenomenon of democratic regression during the 2024 Elections should not happen again. The PDI-P's position towards the future government will reflect the consolidation of democracy in 1999.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The Chairwoman of PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri, lit the Eternal Flame of Struggle torch which became a symbol of the opening of the 5th PDI-P National Meeting at Beach City International Jakarta, Ancol, Jakarta, on Friday (24/5/2024).

As for Megawati's political speech during the opening of the PDI-P's National Conference V, on Friday (24/5/2024), it was filled with sharp criticism of the national democracy climate, particularly related to the implementation of the 2024 Presidential Election. State resources were used for certain electoral interests. Power was used to intimidate the people.

According to Andi, Megawati's speech was a criticism of President Joko Widodo's administration, not the elected president, Prabowo Subianto. Moreover, Prabowo's administration has not yet been formed until October 2024. However, the speech also serves as an invitation for Prabowo to form a government that can strengthen democracy again.

The political stance will later be handed over to the general chairman (Megawati). We'll see tomorrow (Sunday), thank you.

”The PDI-P's main consideration is ideological. One thing we really have to read about from 2024-2029 is the existence of a commitment to democracy. "As long as we can read clearly over the next four to nine months, what will happen regarding reform and our democracy, the party's attitude towards government will become increasingly visible," he explained.

Another factor, said Andi, is Jokowi's position in Prabowo's upcoming administration. However, the main consideration remains the compatibility of Prabowo's government with the ideology of PDI-P.

Also read: PDI-P is the last hope as an opposition party to balance democracy

Party Congress

On the other hand, the reasons behind PDI-P's decision to join the government or remain outside of it are within the party's congress authority. This was demonstrated when PDI-P made the decision to fully support the Joko Widodo administration during the 2019 congress.

Therefore, the change of president demands PDI-P to redefine its stance towards the government. However, it is not impossible for such a stance to be taken during the latest national meeting. "Within the party's framework, it can be decided in the April 2025 congress or party forums like this national meeting giving authority to Madam Chairperson and DPP to decide," he explained.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

The Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, inaugurated the management board of the PDI-P Central Executive Board for the 2019-2024 period at the closing of the PDI-P's fifth congress at the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel in Bali on Saturday (10/8/2019).

For this week, Andi cannot confirm whether PDI-P will announce its stance. However, it will only be in the form of a recommendation that may not necessarily become the decision of the PDI-P Chairman. The recommendation only serves as a general description of the party's stance.

Also read: Implying on Being "Opposition", Megawati Emphasizes the Importance of "Checks and Balances" and Balancing Democracy