JAKARTA, INDONESIA — President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Megawati Soekarnoputri, General Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), showcased their unity and unwavering support for the PDI-P’s presidential candidate, Ganjar Pranowo, during the opening ceremony of the party’s third National Working Meeting (Rakernas) on Tuesday (6 June).
This public display of solidarity effectively dispelled recent rumours suggesting a strained relationship between Megawati and Jokowi due to differences in their preferred candidates for the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres).
Speculation had circulated that Jokowi was leaning towards endorsing Prabowo Subianto, the presidential candidate from the Gerindra Party, instead of Ganjar Pranowo. The purported rift between Megawati and Jokowi was previously reported by Singapore’s The Straits Times.
Ganjar Pranowo is currently serving as the Governor of Central Java, a position he has held since 2013. He began his political career as a member of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) from 2004 to 2013. He then ran for the position of Governor of Central Java and emerged as the winner. He was re-elected for a second term in 2018, receiving widespread support from the electorate.
Just before the commencement of the PDI-P National Working Meeting, Jokowi and Megawati were seen engaging in a symbolic metal greeting with Ganjar. This marked the first time the three leaders had been publicly photographed together at the event. The metal greeting, which is a hand gesture forming the number three, symbolized the party’s position on the election ballot.
The PDI-P’s official press release included an image capturing the moment when Megawati stood between Jokowi and Ganjar, all three wearing broad smiles while executing the metal greeting.
It is important to note that the Rakernas event is being conducted behind closed doors, with media coverage limited to waiting for the meeting’s conclusion and accessing information through subsequent press conferences.
In addition to Megawati, Jokowi, and Ganjar, several prominent PDI-P figures stood alongside them, including PDI-P DPP Chair Puan Maharani, who is Megawati’s daughter and has been speculated to run as a presidential candidate from the PDI-P.
The Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times previously suggested a strained relationship between Jokowi and Megawati due to their differing candidate preferences. Megawati has denied exerting any pressure on President Jokowi regarding his support for the 2024 Presidential Election.
Megawati emphasized that she had neither the motive nor the authority to pressure Jokowi, acknowledging him as the president and stating her respect for his decisions.
The PDI-P National Working Meeting holds significance as it serves as a platform for the party to strategize and solidify its goals in preparation for the upcoming presidential election. The united front presented by Jokowi, Megawati, and Ganjar sends a strong message of cohesion and determination within the PDI-P as they work towards their common objectives.
