Former Indonesian president Megawati calls for unity amid allegations of undermining her leadership

The party, which celebrated its 52nd anniversary on Friday, has refocused its efforts on internal overhaul after a public clash with former member Joko Widodo over what it claimed was manufacturing ahead of the congress. Frictional external effort.

A growing number of high-profile members of the PDI-P have been accused of backing rival candidates Prabowo Subianto and Jokowi's eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka Leave or be expelled instead of Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD who are supported by the party.

In a three-hour speech during the party's anniversary celebrations on Friday, Megawati said the People's Democratic Party would not be intimidated by defectors.

“For those who are not satisfied with the party, just leave. At least [you] Your honor will still be retained [by leaving] Instead of getting fired. […] Just be decisive and find another side,” she said.

“It's tiring to deal with things. [members] Their hearts and minds are elsewhere,” she continued, noting that keeping them around would be disrespectful to party members who are loyal to the party.

Relations between the HDP and Jokowi soured ahead of last February's presidential election. The party accused the then-president of interfering in a controversial October 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that paved the way for Gibran to run as Prabowo's running mate, with the pair ultimately endorsing Jokowi's tacit support Won the 2024 race.

The battle between the two parties reached its peak in mid-December last year when Megawati formally expelled Jokowi, Vice President Gibran and Jokowi's son-in-law, Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution, from the party.

Also read: Megawati and Jokowi feud intensifies after his sacking

After his ouster, the party accused Jokowi of seeking ways to replace Megawati's most trusted aide, secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto, with a loyalist so he could influence the party congress process and prevent the People’s Democratic Party matriarch from being re-elected.

Jokowi has denied all accusations that he tried to influence the People's Democratic Party's leadership campaign.

In her speech on Friday, Megawati once again hinted that figures were plotting to overthrow her as party chief and stage a takeover during the national convention.

“Some [individuals] wanted my position, but they didn't say it so openly,” she said without naming anyone.

Megawati is the longest-serving president of an Indonesian political party.

Speculation that Jokowi is seeking to take over the nationalist party intensified last week when ousted party member Efendi Simbolon publicly suggested Megawati resign after Hasto was named a suspect in a bribery case.

“[Megawati] Resignation is necessary as a form of accountability,” Affendi said after meeting the former president in his hometown of Solo in Central Java. He added that the bribery case involving Hastot “is a serious issue” and that all party leaders must be held accountable to the public.

This sparked outrage among Megawati loyalists, who marked their white cloth banners with red fingerprints during the party's anniversary on Friday to show support for her re-election.

Also read: PDI-P’s Hasto files pretrial motion over identity of corruption suspect

Analysts generally believe that Effendi's call for a leadership change will not pose a real challenge because it does not come from active members.

But some say the party, which lost last year's presidential election and saw its overall vote share drop despite finishing top in legislative elections, should use the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect.

“PDI-P must carefully consider its strategy for the next five years,” said Adi Prayitno of Parameter Politik Indonesia, a think tank.

He said it needed to think specifically about whether it was time for a revival, how to unite its members and how to position itself vis-à-vis Prabowo's government.