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AKARTA: The daughter of the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, has been appointed as chair of the PDI-P faction at the House of Representatives. Puan Maharani replaces senior politician Tjahjo Kumolo, who has been in the position for the past nine years.

“Now, she is the chairman of the PDI-P faction at the House,” said PDI-P chief patron and husband of Megawati, Taufiq Kiemas.

Tjahjo confirmed that he had relinquished his position on Jan. 12 and would now focus on his position as PDI-P secretary-general and member of the House Commission I on defense, foreign affairs and information.

“I hope you can give your full support to new faction chairman Puan Maharani,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.

Puan began her “official” political apprenticeship in the early 2000s as a personal assistant to Megawati during her presidency. Being later appointed as a party executive, Puan actively campaigned for her mother during the 2004 and 2009 presidential elections.

With her strategic positions both in the House and within the party, Puan represents the party in all its strategic negotiations, including the latest discussions with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over the possibility of the PDI-P joining his Democratic Party-led coalition.