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Megawati, Prabowo talk reconciliation over 'nasi goreng'
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Ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) played host to a postelection meeting with Gerindra Party patron Prabowo Subianto (right) on Wednesday. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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n another event signifying reconciliation among the political elites, ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri played host to a postelection meeting with Gerindra Party patron Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday.
Megawati welcomed Prabowo at her residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta, during which the two politicians — who were once political allies — engaged in a two-hour discussion, which she described as a friendly and warm meeting over a home-cooked meal.
Speaking after the meeting, Megawati, who supported incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in the April election, said she had told Prabowo — who challenged Jokowi’s reelection bid — that political differences should no longer be amplified since the election had been concluded.
“I said, mas [brother], differences [in politics] are common, so why should we continue with that? Let’s move on and get along for the sake of the nation,” Megawati told journalists during a press conference with Prabowo, “I have also said that there is no coalition or opposition in our constitutional system."
Megawati and Prabowo were joined by their close aides during the meeting, including Gerindra party top executives Ahmad Muzani and Edhy Prabowo as well as the former president’s daughter and Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan, who is Megawati’s close confidante.
Among the dishes prepared by Megawati for their lunch was her signature nasi goreng (fried rice), the recipe of which was shared with the public during the general election campaign season, and was apparently one of Prabowo’s favorite foods.
“Ibu [Megawati] has kept her promise to cook fried rice for me, it was really good,” Prabowo told journalists after the meeting, “We continue to maintain our friendly relations because I always feel respected [by Megawati].”
