REASONS BEHIND THE RETICENCE
Political observer Agung Baskoro of Trias Politika Strategis said Mdm Megawati’s reluctance to declare PDI-P as the opposition may also have to do with the fact that PDI-P still has a presence in the outgoing Cabinet.
“It is not wise to (declare) PDI-P will be in the opposition when its ministers are still in the government. It means that they might have to leave immediately because PDI-P ministers have to align themselves with the party’s position,” Mr Agung told CNA.
“The situation will be clearer once Mr Prabowo is inaugurated after Oct 20,” he added.
Another observer, Ray Rangkuti interpreted Mdm Megawati’s statement as one which clearly indicates that PDI-P is likely to remain outside the coalition.
“There is no need for further interpretation. Mdm Megawati’s speech clearly states that PDI-P is ready to be in opposition, even if that means it will be outside the government,” said Mr Ray to CNA.
He said if that is the choice PDI-P makes, then it and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) could be the only two political parties in the opposition camp.
At the end of the three-day meeting, PDI-P issued a 17-point recommendation including a declaration that the 2024 election was the worst in the history of Indonesian democracy.
On another point, the party also hinted that it would only cooperate with other parties which are committed to “implementing the reform agenda, strengthening the rule of law” and in “improving the quality of democracy” in the country.
Another political observer, Ujang Komaruddin from Al Azhar University, echoed a similar view that PDI-P is showing a very strong tendency to remain in the opposition.
“PDI-P tends to be a party outside the government, the opposition. And that’s good, as it will provide checks and balances,” Mr Ujang told CNA.
He added that PDI-P tended to be more fierce and vocal in criticising the government whenever it is not part of the ruling establishment.
Mr Ujang however speculated that Mdm Megawati decided not to make clear the party’s actual stance because there are still five months before the new government is inaugurated in October.
He said that the PDI-P chairwoman may not want her political strategies exposed prematurely if it makes its stance very clear around this time.
“In politics, strategy is key, and PDI-P has always adhered to this approach,” Mr Ujang said.
So far the only senior PDI-P political figure who has openly declared that he would not join the new government is Mr Ganjar Pranowo, who stated on May 6 that he would not accept any offer of joining the Prabowo administration.
Even then it was only a personal stance by Mr Ganjar and not an official position taken by the party.
According to Mr Agung, this is also characteristic of Mdm Megawati who likes to make known her personal views first rather than that of the party’s true official position.
“Megawati may personally prefer to be outside the government. But as a political party, PDI-P is neither yet officially outside or will join the ruling coalition.”
“It may look ambiguous to the general public, but that’s politics. This may leave room for any informal communication in the future,” Mr Agung said.
