Gerindra Party chairman and president-elect Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the party's national meeting in Senayan, Jakarta, on Aug 31, 2024. - Antara
JAKARTA: President-elect Prabowo Subianto has addressed speculation that he is planning to meet with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to discuss the party’s position with regard to his incoming administration, saying he hopes such a meeting will be held soon.
“God willing, hopefully [we can meet soon],” Prabowo told reporters at the House of Representatives on Wednesday (Sept 25).
Prabowo’s statement came just a day after House Speaker and PDI-P executive Puan Maharani said that a Prabowo-Megawati meeting was in the cards in the near future.
“[They will meet] as soon as possible, at the most appropriate time," Puan, also the daughter of Megawati, told reporters on Tuesday, adding that she had met with the incumbent defence minister several times to discuss potential cooperation.
Since winning a landslide victory in February’s presidential election, Gerindra Party patron Prabowo has moved fast to reach out to rivals, including the PDI-P, which backed losing candidate Ganjar Pranowo in the race.
Of the eight parties represented in the incoming legislature, only the PDI-P has yet to decide whether it will support or oppose the Prabowo administration.
After winning the largest share of House seats in February, the party is poised to retain the House speakership, a position with significant authority to set the House’s agenda for the next five years.
Puan said the PDI-P was open to being part of the next government, pointing out that communication between the two parties had been ongoing since the February election.
“God willing, nothing’s impossible," Puan said when asked about the possibility of the PDI-P joining the coalition of parties supporting Prabowo’s incoming administration.
Ahmad Muzani, secretary-general of Gerindra, the de facto leader of the coalition, has signalLed that the meeting may occur before Prabowo’s inauguration on Oct 20. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
