No Meeting Between Prabowo and Megawati Today

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Subianto would not meet with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday, January 23, 2025, Gerindra Party Chair Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed.

"That's right," Dasco said in a brief message to Tempo on Thursday. Meanwhile, Central Executive Board (DPP) Chair of PDIP, Deddy Sitorus also confirmed that there was no meeting between Prabowo and Megawati. "No meeting."

Megawati's birthday celebration at Batutulis Palace in Bogor today raised the possibility of a meeting with Prabowo. Two politicians from the Advanced Indonesia Coalition earlier confirmed to Tempo the plan for Prabowo and Megawati to meet today.

The source said the meeting between Prabowo and Megawati would take place before the President leaves for a working visit to India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Prabowo would be in India from Friday to Sunday, January 24-26, 2025. According to information received by Tempo, Prabowo will leave for India this Thursday.

Three PDIP politicians said PDIP Central Leadership Council Chairman Puan Maharani was directly involved in arranging Megawati's direct communication with Prabowo. Gerindra and PDIP officials then became the communication channel between the two. Tempo was unable to contact Puan for confirmation.

PDIP Spokesperson Guntur Romli said Prabowo and Megawati could meet. "Mbak Puan has already said it's possible. She knows more about the meeting plan," Guntur said on Wednesday. 

Puan said her mother's birthday celebration has limited invitations. She said this year's celebration was planned to invite only some of Megawati's extended family members. Still, Puan was reluctant to explain the meeting between Prabowo and Megawati during the PDIP chair's birthday celebration. 

The House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker said the meeting between Prabowo and Megawati would take place as soon as possible. "We all have the same hope and I am sure both of them must have the same hope to meet as soon as possible," Puan said after opening the DPR session at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. There was no further information from Gerindra or PDIP regarding the failure of today's meeting.

Of the eight factions in the DPR, the PDIP is the only party that has not expressed support for the government. PDIP politicians have repeatedly emphasized that PDIP will not become Prabowo's opposition and will continue to serve as a check and balance. The meeting between Prabowo and Megawati opened the door for the PDIP to cooperate with the government on strategic programs and support in parliament.

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