Megawati Discusses Good Relations with Prabowo and Food Prices

Indonesia’s 5th President and Chairwoman of the PDI Perjuangan, Megawati Soekarnoputri, specifically emphasised that she is not an enemy of President Prabowo Subianto. She pointed to evidence of their closeness during the Pancasila Day commemoration on 1 June to dispel attempts by any party to set them against each other. “Mr Prabowo and I are friends. But people try to separate us. Friends are friends, but in politics, what can we do? We can work for democratisation. But I am not his enemy; he is my friend. You saw us on 1 June, didn’t you? I was holding hands with him, laughing. Come on, what does that mean? Nothing. Later, it will be their friends who want to pit us against each other, saying ‘Oh, Ibu Mega is trying to oppose Mr Prabowo’. I can answer that later. Don’t do that! You must be brave, because our country has a legal system,” said Megawati in a written statement received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday. This was conveyed after she inaugurated the renovation of Istana Gebang and a statue of Bung Karno in Blitar on Monday. On that occasion, Megawati also delivered an unscripted speech that directly touched on the real issues facing the people, namely the rising prices of goods. Megawati specifically cited chillies, which have reportedly reached Rp180,000 per kilogram in several regions. In front of thousands of cadres and sympathisers who packed the grounds of Istana Gebang on Monday (15/6/2026), Megawati acknowledged that staple food prices are soaring. She even engaged in a direct dialogue, asking the audience to state the price of chillies in their respective areas. “Have prices here gone up or not? (Audience: Up!) How much are chillies? One hundred thousand? Sixty thousand? In the eastern region, I received reports that chillies cost Rp180,000. Just don’t eat chillies anymore. Or what? Start a movement to plant chillies at home,” said Megawati. “I know prices have gone up. But I also know the procedures. I am not in the government. Yes, I will convey this, but to whom? To the DPR through the PDI Perjuangan faction. That’s how it is. What is that called? That is procedure, what is that called? Ethics and morals,” she said. Besides highlighting price increases at the consumer level, Megawati also expressed concern for the fate of farmers as the nation’s ‘Soko Guru’ (pillars). Drawing lessons from the Marhaenism concept taught by Bung Karno through his dialogue with Pak Marhaen in Bandung, Megawati stressed the importance of organising farmers to be self-reliant and capable of achieving food sovereignty. To this end, she again reminded the entire party structure of the instruction she issued in 2021 to promote the planting of 10 types of food crops as rice companions to prevent the threat of famine. “Since 2021, as Chairwoman, I have given instructions to all regions to plant 10 food crops as rice companions. Who has done this? Don’t be arrogant just because you are a PDI Perjuangan member. Aren’t you ashamed of me? I am almost 80 years old, but I can still shout like this. Come on, show some spirit!” she joked. “The number one thing for the people is food. That’s why I asked earlier whether prices have gone up or not,” she said. The inauguration of the Istana Gebang renovation, attended by thousands of cadres and party leaders, proceeded solemnly. After the speech and the sounding of the siren, Megawati, along with her family, senior party officials, and friends, walked inside to tour the interior of Bung Karno’s childhood home.