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Megawati advises cabinet not to quit amid criticism of Jokowi
In a rare interview, Megawati Sukarnoputri, said she had advised the influential finance minister and her own party PDI-P's five ministers to stay put or risk destabilising the country.
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Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri talks to journalist Rosiana Silalahi broadcast on KompasTV on Feb. 8, 2024. (The Jakarta Post/KompasTV)
Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri has advised ministers not to quit outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's cabinet, amid media reports of possible resignations over his perceived meddling in next week's presidential election.
In a rare interview, Megawati Sukarnoputri, said she had advised the influential finance minister and her own party PDI-P's five ministers to stay put or risk destabilising the country.
"If I told ministers to resign, who would be at a loss?" she told Kompas TV in an interview aired on Thursday night. "It would be the country, especially if we're talking about the finance minister."
Her remarks come just days ahead of the presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 14. Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has been leading in opinion polls, followed by former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and ex-Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo.
Markets have been concerned that Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati might walk out amid widespread public criticism over Jokowi's perceived political interference and lack of neutrality in the election.
Jokowi, who is a member of Megawati's party, has not explicitly endorsed any candidate but his son is running for vice president alongside Prabowo, and Jokowi has made several appearances with the frontrunner during the campaign period.
Sri Mulyani has not made any comments about the media reports and the finance ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Megawati's remarks.
