Megawati-Jokowi Meeting At The Inauguration Of The At-Taufiq Mosque, Can The Issue Of Estrangement Be Reduced?

President Jokowi and Head of the PDI-P Megawati at the inauguration of the At-Taufiq Mosque/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The relationship between the Chairperson of the PDI-P (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri and President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is rumored to be tenuous. However, the two of them met at the inauguration of the At-Taufiq Mosque and said their relationship was fine.

President Jokowi officially inaugurated the At-Taufiq Mosque which is opposite the PDIP Party School office on Jalan Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta on Wednesday, June 8. In his speech, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta promised to attend in person.

"I am very happy, firstly because three months ago I made an appointment with Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri to be here," said Jokowi, starting his speech.

On the sidelines of his remarks, Jokowi said that his relationship with the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia is also like that of a child and a parent. He even said he had an inner connection with Megawati.

"Mother Mega is like my own mother. I really, really respect her, Mrs. Megawati and the relationship between the child and this mother is an inner relationship," he said.

Jokowi emphasized that he always respects Megawati. This respect, he continued, is always there even though there are differences of opinion which he considers normal in the relationship between mother and child.

"I have great respect for him who is always full of trust that never changes," he said.

"Then on a long journey, sometimes there are differences between the child and the mother, that's normal, it's normal," added Jokowi.

The issue of the estrangement in the relationship between the two figures allegedly occurred after Jokowi attended the Pro Jokowi (Projo) volunteer group some time ago. At that time, he seemed to give a signal to support the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres) who was also present at the event.

After this incident, Megawati and Jokowi rarely met at the same event. For example, during the wedding ceremony of Jokowi's sister, Idayati, with the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) in Solo, Central Java.

When the event took place, Megawati was not there. A similar incident also occurred during the Pancasila Birthday Commemoration ceremony in Ende, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Back at the inauguration ceremony of the At-Taufiq Mosque, Megawati also emphasized the family relationship as mentioned by Jokowi.

Being next to President Jokowi and the first lady, Iriana, Megawati admitted that this kind of relationship had existed for a long time. "This is Mr. Jokowi, there is Mrs. (Iriana, ed) too, we have always been family," said Megawati.

"So, if you want the term to be fried (relationship, ed), that's right," he added.

Not only that, Megawati also said she was happy that President Jokowi had kept his promise to come to the mosque named after her late husband, the late Taufiq Kiemas.

"Yes, I am very happy (President Jokowi is here, ed)," said Megawati.

Then can the meeting of these two figures reduce the issue of estrangement?

Executive Director of Indonesia Political Review, Ujang Komarudin, said that politics often shows two sides. What is in front of the public does not necessarily happen behind.

"So it can't be perceived that Teuku Umar (talking about Megawati, who lives on Jalan Teuku Umar) and the palace are fine," explained Ujang.

"Politics is drama. There are many politicians when they are in front of them, but when they are behind they attack each other," he added.

He then took examples such as Jokowi's presence at the Formula E racing event on Sunday, June 4.

Even though he attended the event and communicated with DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Jokowi would not necessarily support his former minister in the 2024 Presidential Election. "We don't know what's in their hearts. Only God knows what's in each other's hearts," said Ujang .

So, Ujang considered, the public now just has to see how the drama will continue ahead of the political year.

However, the political observer appreciated the meeting between Megawati and Jokowi that took place at the moment of the mosque's inauguration. Thus, the tension between the two can no longer be fried by the other party.

"We are certainly happy, if Jokowi and Mega have met. We appreciate the meeting, so that the tension between them does not prolong," he concluded.