Regarding PDIP's position outside the Prabowo government, Megawati explained to Prince Khaled

JAKARTA - The General Chair (Ketum) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Megawati Soekarnoputri, held a warm meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The meeting took place at the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace (Palace of the Nation), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Wednesday local time.

During the meeting, Megawati, who is also a former president, not only discussed relations between the two nations, but also touched on the political dynamics in the Indonesian domestic, including its relationship with President Prabowo Subianto.

The Chairman of the PDI Perjuangan DPP for Religion (inactive) who is also the Ambassador to Tunisia, Zuhairi Misrawi, revealed that Megawati explained publicly about her friendship with President Prabowo.

"In a meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi State Palace, Megawati Soekarnoputri explained her friendship with President Prabowo. She said, 'I am friends with President Prabowo for a long time. We have a big vision about Indonesia Raya," said Misrawi, in a written statement received by ANTARA, in Jakarta, Thursday.

The familiarity of the two national figures is reflected in the familiar greetings they use every day.

"I usually call President Prabowo with the call 'Mas'. President Prabowo calls me 'Mbak'. This proves that our friendship is very good," continued Megawati in her presentation to Prince Khaled of the UAE.

Despite having a very good personal relationship, Megawati emphasized to the Crown Prince that in terms of political party politics, PDIP remained firm in the independent path or outside the cabinet.

Megawati called this position as a "balancer".

"However, Megawati added that politically, PDIP chooses to be a balancer and is outside the government," explained Zuhairi.

Megawati emphasized that the position outside the government was taken to maintain the check and balance mechanism for the people's interest.

"We choose to be outside the government as a counterweight. If the government does good things for the people, we support it. But if in its implementation there are things that are not good, we will correct and provide input," said Megawati.

On that occasion, Megawati also provided clarification regarding the Indonesian constitutional system. He clarified that in the presidential system adopted by Indonesia, the term "opposition" is not appropriate.

"We adhere to the presidential system, which does not recognize opposition and coalitions. What exists is with the government and outside the government. Opposition is only adopted in the parliamentary system," Megawati explained.

Hearing the comprehensive explanation from the senior Indonesian political figure, Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan gave a positive response.

He listened carefully and respected the political stance taken by Megawati and her party.

"We can understand the explanation of Her Majesty Megawati," said the Crown Prince of the UAE in response to the explanation.

Megawati was accompanied by her son, who is also the Chairman of the PDI P DPP, Muhammad Prananda Prabowo; Prananda Prabowo's wife, Nancy Prananda, Misrawi and Head of the PDI P Strategic Policy Research & Analysis Agency, Andi Widjayanto.