“The meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace is a positive development for the Prabowo-Gibran administration,” Achmad Baidowi, a lecturer at the Darul Ulum Banyuanyar Institute (IDB), said here on Friday.
Baidowi said the meeting could also be seen as a substitute moment, as Soekarnoputri had been absent during a previous gathering between President Prabowo and former presidents and vice presidents.
According to him, Soekarnoputri's presence could dispel assumptions that her party would act as an opposition to the Prabowo-Gibran administration, following earlier criticism of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program and instructions for party members not to participate.
He added that the meeting between the two national figures strengthened the stability of the Prabowo-Gibran administration amid Middle East conflict issues and Indonesia’s involvement in the Board of Peace.
“Only strong government stability will provide room for the president to successfully carry out national and state development agendas,” he said.
Baidowi added that the meeting underscores that unity is essential for development to be achieved.
“Political differences end with elections, and once governance begins, those barriers must be removed,” he opined.
On Thursday (March 19), President Prabowo Subianto received Megawati Soekarnoputri at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, also attended by House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani and Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
According to Prabowo’s official Instagram account, the meeting aimed to continue ties among national leaders.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the meeting discussed strategic national and global issues.
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Translator: Laily, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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