The general chairperson of the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP) came to Merdeka Palace Monday to meet with President Joko Widodo to ask for permission with regard to her plan.
"Perhaps, in the next few days I will meet with several leaders of other parties that also support the president. That is what I came here for. I asked him for permission so that I could communicate with them again as the KIH (Great Indonesia Coalition) no longer exists," she said at a joint press conference with the president after the meeting at the state palace.
She had discussed with the Golkar Party in a meeting with the partys chief, Setya Novanto, the day before efforts to help strengthen the government, Megawati, who is also the countrys fifth president, said.
She hoped that other parties that back the government would also unite to support their candidates in the regional elections, she said.
"Earlier, I had actually stated that it would be better for us to unite and support our common candidates in the regional elections," she said.
She could understand that it was the right of each party to support any candidate it prefers, Megawati however said.
Several parties that used to coalesce with the PDIP have supported different candidates for the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
The political dynamics that happened ahead of the regional elections was quite common, President Widodo believed.
He, however, warned against political players misusing the situation to endanger national unity.
"What is important is that their activities must not hurt the Unitary State of Indonesia, weaken the Unity in Diversity principle let alone Pancasila (state ideology)," he said.
Last week President Joko Widodo received opposition leader of Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, at the same venue.
The political situation has escalated following Jakarta gubernatorial election candidate Basuki Tjahaja Purnamas alleged blasphemous statement on Islam.
A massive demonstration took place in the capital on November 4 to demand Basukis immediate prosecution over the case.
Basuki has now been named suspect in the case but Moslems still plan to hold a big demonstration again on December 2 to demand Basukis detention.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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