Spokesperson Says Prabowo Welcoming for PDIP to Join Government 'From the Start'
Prabowo and Megawati were reportedly scheduled for a meeting prior to Prabowo's inauguration on October 20 last year, but the plan fell through.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - 's spokesperson, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, said that President Prabowo Subianto and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Chair Soekarnoputri are good friends.
When asked about whether Prabowo is open for PDIP to join the government, Dahnil said it has been Prabowo's stance “from the start.”
“Pak Prabowo is open to all, including PDIP,” he said in a brief text message on Tuesday, January 14.
The good relationship between Prabowo and Megawati is bridged by the chiefs of their respective parties, Puan Maharani of PDIP and Sufmi Dasco Ahmad of the Gerindra Party.
Dahnil, however, remained tight-lipped about the possibility of a meeting between the former and incumbent presidents of Indonesia. A Tempo source familiar with the meeting plan said Prabowo and Megawati are expected to meet in the near future, possibly this month.
PDIP spokesman Guntur Romli did not deny the news that Megawati and Prabowo would meet soon. “Hopefully, they can soon convene,” he said on Tuesday. “We are all awaiting the meeting between Ibu Megawati and Pak Prabowo.”
Prabowo and Megawati were reportedly scheduled for a meeting prior to Prabowo’s inauguration on October 20 last year, but the plan fell through.
The chair hinted at her good relationship with Prabowo in a speech at PDIP's 52nd anniversary celebration on Friday, January 10. In the speech, Megawati said she will not disturb the president, despite her party currently outside the government.
Megawati also said that she maintained contact with the president through their respective representatives. “I’m pretty sure that’s allowed in principle,” she said.
Senior PDIP politician Sidarto Danusubroto on Tuesday had conveyed a message from Prabowo through his close associate to Megawati at the PDIP Anniversary. Albeit reluctant to reveal the person, he said Prabowo expressed an intention to stay in touch with Megawati. But the former aide to President Sukarno did not specify when and where such a meeting would take place.
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