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Megawati suggests she and heir apparent Puan ‘switch roles’
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri may have dropped hints about her choice of successor, singling out her daughter Puan Maharani. But any change of leadership will have to wait a few more years, as Megawati is set to be reappointed as party chair for another term at an upcoming party congress.
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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (center) gestures on May 24, 2024, on the first day of the party’s national meeting in Jakarta. (Antara/M. Risyal Hidayat)
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n her opening speech of a three-day Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) national meeting on Friday, PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri appeared to drop hints about her choice of successor, singling out her daughter Puan Maharani.
As Megawati was acknowledging attendees from the podium, including House of Representatives Speaker Puan, the party matriarch seemingly playfully suggested that Puan step in and fill her shoes.
“I told Puan, ‘Wow, you keep going abroad as House speaker,’” Megawati said, adding that her daughter had been going “for work, not traveling as a tourist”.
“When she said she was going to Bali and then Mexico, [I told her], ‘Let’s switch roles. I will be the House speaker, you will be the party chair,’” she said with a chuckle.
Puan, who chairs the party’s political division, was seen smiling in her seat with the audience cheering.
Megawati went on to say, “How come she gets to enjoy good things? While I’ve been stuck here witnessing the nation plunge into turmoil.”
Her remarks have fed speculation that Megawati plans to select her daughter over her son Prananda Prabowo, particularly as Prananda was not present at the three-day meeting. Both Puan and Prananda hold positions on the party’s central board.
