Prabowo And Megawati Meetings: Diplomacy "French Narrition"

JAKARTA - There is one moment that the public has been waiting for, ahead of Prabowo Subianto's inauguration as president, 20 October 20, 2024. Namely the meeting between Prabowo and the Chairperson of the PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri. The meeting of these two figures was considered important and influential on the politics of this country.

This meeting will become a high level political lobby and is expected to create reconciliation. After the post-presidential and legislative elections in 2024, which resulted in lawsuits at the Constitutional Court. The KPU finally stated that the election was won by Prabowo- Gibran. However, it is recognized that the event still leaves residue between the lower supporters. So that the public is waiting for their peace efforts.

However, their meeting plan still raises problems in the community about the timing and where the meeting and topics will be discussed at the meeting. Regarding the meeting there is also no certainty, neither PDIP nor Gerindra. However, the matter of time, Prabowo stated that he had not determined the exact time, but to the elected president's journalist admitted that he wanted it before the inauguration ceremony. Meanwhile, Puan Maharani as Chair of the PDIP DPP who is also the Chairman of the MPR RI said the meeting would be held as soon as possible.

According to the PDIP candidate, Guntur Romli, it is possible that the second meeting will be held before October 10. Regarding the meeting place, Guntur stated that he would be tried in a neutral place, not in Megawati's place because Megawati wanted to respect Prabowo, as the elected president.

The political lobby that is expected to be interesting, with the fried rice dish, Puan Maharani also revealed. Puan confirmed that she expected it to be like the previous meeting with fried rice. This time it seems that Megawati's mother will also have fried rice dishes. "So it seems that fried rice will be prepared again," said Puan, during a press conference at the DPR complex, last week.

The relationship between Prabowo and Megawati has existed for a long time, since the two of them paired up in the 2009 Presidential Election. In their previous meetings, Megawati's fried rice has always been a symbol of the closeness and warmth of their relationship. The closeness of the two was not only during the 2009 election.

Long before, when Prabowo was stateless (without citizenship) for self-isolating to Jordan, after being dismissed from military service, he was accused of being involved in bringing down his father-in-law, Suharto. Megawati, when tu president then took the initiative to bring Prabowo home to Indonesia.

Responding to the meeting between Prabowo -Megawati, it cannot be interpreted as joining PDIP into the Prabowo-Gibran government coalition. Executive Director of Charta Politica, Yunarto Wijaya, the opportunity is still fifty-fty. If you look at the statements of several high-ranking PDIP officials, just like the Chairs of the PDIP DPP, Said Abdullah and Puan Maharani, the PDIP's enthusiasm will indeed enter the Advanced Indonesia coalition.

However, Megawati's character, Yunarto, said that problems like this will usually be decided by Megawati herself. So it is possible that Megawati's choice will be different from that of Puan's choice, which has been seen to be close to Prabowo. It could be that Megawati Soekarno Putri's attitude is different from that of Puan and other PDIP leaders.

Experience from various regimes, Megawati's decision is different. It could be that Megawati interprets this meeting as a meeting for ordinary gatherings and Megawati remains in position. But it could also lead to the coalition ranks. "So the opportunity is still fifty-fifty, it's not certain," said the man who is often called, Totok.

Political Lobby With Nostalgic Taste

However, the meeting, the public believes that it has the potential to be a determining factor in maintaining Indonesia's political stability after the 2024 election. If Prabowo-Megawati achieves a solid political agreement, this can prevent the emergence of political conflicts between major parties so that it ensures that the government runs more smoothly. The PDIP coalition or opposition to the Prabowo government will greatly affect national political stability. If these two figures work together, Indonesia may experience a period of strong political stability, and allow the government to focus on the national development agenda.

The PDIP's offer to join the Prabowo- Gibran coalition was not empty-handed, Prabowo gave an offer to join the PDIP by offering 3 servings of the Minister in the government. Even with the names of the targeted cadres are Budi Gunawan, the former Head of BIN, Olly Dondokambey, the former treasurer of PDIP, and Abdulah Azwar Anas, the former Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform.

However, a political observer as well as a 1998 activist, Ray Rangkuti believes the three names are not proposals from PDIP. If you have to propose a name, PDIP will propose another name, PDIP has many stocks of cadres, especially professional ones that can be submitted. Anas' name is considered a new person at PDIP, while Budi Gunawan has been serving in BIN for a long time, they will no longer propose it, apart from creating friction within the Party, PDIP will definitely want to create equity. That is also if PDIP wants to join the coalition.

However, Ray believes Megawati, is a figure who will not count the benefits of the meeting. Ray believes Megawati will continue to choose the opposition and not join the coalition, he will still choose to be outside. But the opposition in question is a "synergistic opposition", namely the opposition that does not bring down each other. So if there is a policy that is not in line with PDIP, it can refuse but will not interfere with each other. Because it seems that PDIP thinks it will benefit more if it becomes opposition rather than in the coalition. Especially there will be future elections.

Because according to Ray, PDIP's political goals had been obtained long before the meeting, the advantages obtained by the PDIP political lobby included agreeing that PDIP would remain the Chairman of the MPR, and it was agreed not to be the mastermind of the MD3 Law during Prabowo's tenure. Another political lobby result is the abolition of the MPRS provisions on Soekarno, even the recognition and submission of the MPRS decision cancellation letter. The cancellation of the stipulation has occurred in 2003, but only submitted it at this time. That is a form of support from Prabowo's side.

So the meaning of the meeting between Prabowo-Megawati today is not only reconciliation. It can also be seen from various sides. From Megawati's point of view, it can be interpreted as a message to Jokowi that the future of the country depends on Prabowo and Megawati, not between Prabowo and Jokowi anymore. So it's kind of'made up' to Jokowi, that Jokowi will not be able to kill PDIP, on the contrary.

Meanwhile, from Prabowo's side, it has tactical and strategic interests. The interest of the talent guarantees Megawati's future inauguration can be attended and as long as the inauguration there are no maneuvers that can interfere. Meanwhile, its strategic interests, want to invite Megawati and PDIP to join the government. Even though they do not want to join, at least it will not interfere with the government for the next 5 years.

Another strategic goal is to show members of other coalitions that they also count, especially for parties whose requests vary, Gerindra has other coalition options. "But I'm not sure Megawati wants to join the Prabowo coalition," Ray Rangkuti told VOI, October 6.

Although Prabowo has won the election, cooperation with PDIP remains important for his political stability and success in his government. For Prabowo, ensuring PDIP support is also a strategic and crucial step. PDIP is not only the biggest party, but also has strong roots in society. With the support of Megawati and PDIP, the Prabowo government will have a strong foundation in implementing policies that may be controversial in parliament.

In addition, this agreement can also strengthen the direction of more inclusive economic policies, while maintaining populist programs promoted by PDIP, such as improving social welfare and infrastructure development. This closeness can also help prevent too strong opposition in parliament, which can hinder government programs.