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MPR leadership race turns enemies into friends, friends into enemies
As the old adage goes: In politics, there are no permanent allies, no permanent enemies—only permanent interests.
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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leader Megawati Sukarnoputri and her aides hold a meeting with Gerindra Party leader Prabowo Subianto at her residence in Jakarta on July 24. (PDIP/Staff PDIP)
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efore the April 17 election, it was virtually unthinkable for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to join forces with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) to achieve a shared political goal.
The PDI-P is a leading ruling party with a strong base of nationalist voters, while the PKS is the largest Islamist party that has for years served as an outspoken critic of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, a PDI-P member.
The bitter and divisive presidential election—which pitted Jokowi against PKS-backed Prabowo —may seem to have deepened their enmity. But recent political developments have once again shown that in politics, there are no permanent allies, no permanent enemies—only permanent interests.
In recent weeks, the PDI-P and the PKS have been intensifying lobbying for a possible political alliance at the legislative bodies.
The PDI-P is reportedly rooting for the Gerindra Party’s bid to secure the speaker post at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) following two high-profile meetings marking a political reconciliation between Prabowo and Jokowi and PDI-P matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri.
“Informal talks are still ongoing,” PKS executive Mardani Ali Sera said when asked about his party’s cooperation with the PDI-P.
PDI-P executive board chairman Andreas Hugo Pareira confirmed that there were talks with the PKS but added that they had yet to schedule a formal meeting.
