Observers Are Sure That Prabowo And Megawati's Meeting Will Produce A Political 'Deal'

President Prabowo and Megawati Soekarno Turn. (Photo: ANTARA)

Political communication observer Hendri Satrio believes the meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri at her residence in Teuku Umar, Menteng, Central Jakarta on Monday, April 7, night gave birth to a political 'deal'.

Hendri's belief was based on the official announcement of the meeting by the daily chairman of the Gerindra Party DPP Sufmi Dasco Ahmad the day after, on Tuesday, April 8. According to him, the announcement was not a coincidence, let alone the meeting was called sudden.

"If there is no deal, it will not be announced. If there is a deal, then the meeting will be opened. This is a matter of maintaining dignity and political dynamics," said Hendri Satrio to reporters, Saturday, April 12.

Hendri thought that the political agreement did not always mean increasing power or new benefits for those involved. However, in the context of the Prabowo-Megawati meeting, according to him, the agreement could be more about maintaining the existing position or 'enlightning'.

Hendri gave an example, Puan Maharani's position, who remains the Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, even though 80 percent of parliamentary seats are controlled by the Red and White Coalition, which supports Prabowo.

In addition, he also mentioned the continuity of Pramono Anung's position as Governor of DKI Jakarta, which was not disturbed by his political process.

"The political deal is not only a matter of extending power, but can also maintain the existing power. For example, Puan is still the chairman of the DPR, even though if she wants, with the strength of the coalition, the MD3 Law can be changed. Or Mas Pram, who remains governor without any disturbance. That's part of maintaining the existing pleasure," explained Hendri Satrio.

Meanwhile, regarding the PDIP's statement that he still chose to be outside the government, Hendri Satrio considered that this was not contrary to the agreement.

According to him, PDIP has DNA as an opposition party that is actually 'lifeier' if it is outside the government.

"PDI-P is outside the government, even better. That's their character. So, even though there is an opposition, it doesn't mean there is no deal," he said.

Hendri also considered that the deal was not about Hasto Kristiyanto, who is now being detained by the KPK. He considered that Prabowo was not a typical leader who did not like to interfere in legal affairs in politics.

He also referred to the case of former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo, who did not get intervention from Prabowo when he stumbled on a legal case.

"Prabowo is not the type that will enter the realm of legal intervention for a deal. So, even if there is talk with Mrs. Mega, that's not about it (Hasto)," he said.

Furthermore, Hendri Satrio said the political deal in this meeting reflected mutual respect for the high level between the two big figures. "This level is different. Prabowo and Megawati have a way of respecting which is far above the usual political dynamics," he said.

Although PDIP emphasized that there was no deal and remained on the opposition line, Hendri still believed that the announcement of the meeting by Dasco was a signal of a certain agreement.

"If there's nothing, why was it announced? Politics is about the signal, and this signal is clear," he concluded.