PDIP Secretary General: Meeting With Prabowo Megawati's Strategic Authority

The photo archive - Prabowo Subianto said goodbye to Megawati Soekarnoputri after holding a closed meeting in Jakarta, Wednesday (24/7/2019). (ANTARA PHOTO/Puspa Perwitasari/wsj/aa)

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the PDI-P DPP Hasto Kristiyanto said that the decision regarding the meeting of General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri with Elected President Prabowo Subianto was Megawati's own strategic authority.

"The strategic decision is under the authority of the General Chair," said Hasto in response to reporters' questions after opening the North Sumatra PDIP Special Regional Working Meeting in Medan City, Sunday, as stated in a statement received in Jakarta.

However, Hasto ensured that Megawati and PDIP had a spirit of friendship with the aim of building a nation with Prabowo.

"We build a spirit of friendship for the progress of the country. Food issues, deflation, lower middle class purchasing power need to be considered and we hope that Pak Prabowo's cabinet will be concerned," he said as reported by Antara.

He ensured that the meeting between Megawati and Prabowo was a good thing. Hasto said that cooperation between the two had been established for a long time, especially Megawati had been a presidential candidate paired with Prabowo in 2009.

"The meeting was a very good thing. Because there was no problem with Mrs. Mega and Mr. Prabowo. Even in the 2009 presidential election collaboration, there was a match between the party platform regarding farming, economic sovereignty, and energy sovereignty. So that for the benefit of the nation and state, all must work together," he said.

On the other hand, Hasto believes that democracy still needs an equalizer and PDIP also needs criticism. However, he said, PDIP would prioritize the interests of the nation.

Furthermore, when asked about when the meeting was planned, Hasto said intense political communication was being carried out. "The party is currently taking consolidation steps. What is clear is that there is a psychological connection, historical connection," said Hasto.

Meanwhile, regarding the possibility of PDIP cooperation with the Prabowo government, including the issue of the possibility of ministers from PDIP in the upcoming cabinet, Hasto said it was the authority of the elected president.

"We respect the decision, because the minister is prerogativeal to the president. Seeing the challenges that exist, it is hoped that a professional cabinet, a cabinet that resolves the challenges ahead," he said.

Previously, Prabowo Subianto hoped that his plan to meet with Megawati Soekarnoputri could be carried out before the inauguration of the elected president and vice president on October 20, 2024.

"Hopefully before the inauguration," said Prabowo after attending the inauguration of members of the DPR, DPD, and MPR for the 2024 period, 2029 at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (1/10).

Prabowo also agreed that the plan to meet Megawati could be realized. "God willing, God willing," he said.