T

aufiq Kiemas, husband of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, never held any official position in the party. He also frequently disagreed with Megawati regarding the PDI-P's stance on many important issues. Yet, his passing at a Singapore hospital on Saturday following heart problems is indeed a big loss to her, her party and the nation.

In his capacity as speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Taufiq had been intense in promoting the four pillars of nationhood: the state ideology Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the state motto, Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). These pillars have gained ground although, at the same time, they have also received strong opposition from many quarters, particularly in reference to Pancasila, which is largely understood as the 'foundation' rather than one of the pillars of the nation.

In political affairs, Taufiq was more like a 'critical' sparring partner rather than an adviser to Megawati. He frequently launched critiques against her political views and decisions, which was in sharp contrast to their long-lasting, 40 years of marriage. One obvious example was how Taufiq, on many occasions, issued statements suggesting that his wife should not run again in the 2014 presidential election, citing her age as a reason. Megawati will be 67 next year.

There are figures within and outside her party who have helped shape and influence her political characteristics and weight. Still, the pair's unique combination ' Megawati being an introvert and serious politician, while Taufiq was basically a lobbyist who maintained good relations with all politicians, even those holding opposing views ' played a significant role in shaping daily politics.

It was Taufiq's friendly and egalitarian approach that helped prevent the PDI-P from being targeted or blamed for a number of state problems and affairs. And although he was not always in agreement with Megawati's political stance and decisions, Taufiq had been at the forefront of the party in a series of political lobbies ahead of the 2014 legislative and presidential elections, particularly tugs-of-war in the drafting of candidates for the country's top executive post.

Now that Taufiq Kiemas is gone, it will be much harder for Megawati to run the show, especially as the PDI-P has suffered a declining trend in the last three general elections. Emerging as the winner in the 1999 legislative election after securing 33.74 percent of the vote, its achievement dropped to 18.53 percent in the 2004 election and to 14.03 percent in 2009.

There will obviously be some changes in the PDI-P's political character after the passing of Taufiq, with the party lacking a figure skilful and experienced enough to deal with political shenanigans. Still, the party can rest its hopes on a number of young members, who have 'secretly' been prepared to receive the leadership baton, including their three children, Rizki Pratama, Mohammad Prananda and Puan Maharani, and its skyrocketing member, Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, all of whom have acted as the party's 'support team' behind PDI-P success in a series of recent regional elections.