Megawati And Puan Maharani Didn't 'Accompany' Jokowi On The Commemoration Of Pancasila Birthday In Ende, PDIP Secretary General: Already Represented

Megawati Soekarno Putri and Puan Maharani. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PDIP Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri and Indonesian House of Representatives Chairwoman Puan Maharani did not attend the government's celebration of Pancasila Birthday in Ende, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Wednesday, June 1.

In fact, the Pancasila Birthday ceremony which was held today at the Pancasila Square in Ende City was led directly by President Joko Widodo. Jokowi became the second Indonesian president to visit Ende district after Soekarno.

In response, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto explained the reason Megawati Soekarnoputri could not attend in person at Ende, NTT. Hasto said that Megawati had been represented by the Deputy Chair of the MPR from the PDIP faction, Ahmad Basarah.

"On the anniversary of the birth of Pancasila which is centered in Ende, NTT, Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri cannot attend, and has conveyed a message through Mas Pramono Anung to President Jokowi, and assigned Mr. Ahmad Basarah, to represent him to Ende," said Hasto, Wednesday, June 1st.

Meanwhile, the presence of Puan Maharani was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lodewijk F Paulus, to read the opening text of the 1945 Constitution in commemoration of the birthday of Pancasila at the Pancasila Square, Ende City, NTT.

As is known, PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri and DPR RI Chairwoman Puan Maharani were also not present at the wedding ceremony of Jokowi's sister, Idayati, with Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) Anwar Usman in Solo, Central Java, last Thursday, May 26.

The absence from the Pancasila Birthday ceremony was the second moment Megawati and Puan were absent at the event that Jokowi attended.