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PDI-P likely to remain Megawati fiefdom
Megawati’s children would likely succeed her as PDI-P chief, but they might not necessarily have to be the party’s presidential nominees for 2024
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (left) arrives with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (second from left) and her daughter Puan Maharani (fifth from left) at the party's national congress in 2018 in Bali. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)
T
he Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) looks set to remain under the control of long-time chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, as the party’s matriarch and the country’s only female president is expected to name one of her children as heir apparent in the upcoming party congress.
“Leadership in PDI-P’s eyes is not just about getting legitimacy from the grass roots, and having experience and strong ideology,” party secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said. “The signal from above is also important. So, we will wait for what Ibu Megawati [decides].”
The PDI-P is planning to hold its national congress this August, nine months earlier than the scheduled April 2020, in preparation for a post-Megawati and post-Joko “Jokowi” Widodo future, but Megawati’s long-term grip on the party means that the reins are unlikely to be handed over to someone outside her family.
Megawati, who turned 72 in January, has been the party’s chairwoman since 1999, making her the longest-running top executive of any of the country’s political parties.
Party executives have floated the possibility of appointing a chief executive or deputy chairman to handle day-to-day operations, and Megawati’s children Puan Maharani and Prananda Prabowo are considered the most likely candidates to take over this role.
Hasto said that a national working meeting on Wednesday was held to prepare for the congress and was attended by President Jokowi, Megawati, the party’s central executive board, as well as leaders from all the party’s regional branches.
“The meeting is an important moment to allow the party to express its thanks to the Indonesian people for putting their trust in the PDI-P and President Jokowi during the elections and also to prepare strategic steps and evaluation for the upcoming congress,” he said.
