Hasto: Megawati and Prabowo Meet at Pancasila Anniversary to Discuss Indonesia's Future Direction
President Prabowo Subianto and former President Megawati Soekarnoputri attended the Pancasila Birth Anniversary ceremony. The two leaders appeared amicable during the event.
PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto commented on the meeting between the party’s chairman and President Prabowo, stating it was a significant opportunity for both to discuss the nation’s future direction.
Hasto explained Megawati’s attendance was in her capacity as Chairman of the BPIP Steering Council. The ceremony followed the government’s decision to designate 1 June 1945 as Pancasila Birth Anniversary.
“Of course, this is also a good opportunity for national leaders, heads of state, and government officials to meet, such as between President Prabowo and Mrs Megawati Soekarnoputri,” Hasto told reporters in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Monday, 1 June 2026.
“She is the fifth president with extensive experience and also maintains a strong personal rapport with President Prabowo,” he added.
Hasto hoped the meeting would yield in-depth discussions on national issues. “We hope this meeting addresses strategic matters concerning the nation’s future direction,” he said.
When asked about PDIP’s political position under Prabowo’s leadership, Hasto stated Indonesia’s constitution does not recognise the term ‘opposition’. He emphasised that Megawati’s presence at the state event with Prabowo did not alter PDIP’s role as a balancing party.
“We do not have the concept of opposition in our government’s constitution. In President Prabowo’s speech, he also acknowledged respecting PDIP’s role as a balancing force,” Hasto explained.
He then cited Prabowo’s statement that democracy requires check and balances mechanisms. Hasto urged that critical voices from civil society not be silenced by ambiguous legal provisions.
“President Prabowo stressed during a DPR plenary session that democracy requires check and balances and criticism,” Hasto said.
“Critical voices contain truth. They arise from love for the country to ensure effective governance. Therefore, we should listen to such feedback rather than suppress it with vague legal provisions,” he added.
Furthermore, Hasto stated that for PDIP, commemorating Pancasila’s birth is about liberating the common people.
He said Pancasila must be realised in political and economic life, including granting people the freedom to strive and be free from oppression.
“Pancasila stems from the philosophical narrative of the Marhaen class—farmers, workers, fishermen, the poor, and victims of global capitalism,” Hasto added.
“The party chairman’s guidance is clear: commemorating Pancasila is not merely a historical exercise but understanding its entire philosophy, narrative, and liberation spirit. Pancasila was born as an ideological contemplation of Indonesians’ hope for true freedom,” he concluded.