Megawati Inaugurates New PDIP Wing Leaders, Stresses Research and Grassroots Loyalty

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has stressed that political parties must not overlook the importance of research, describing it as the scientific foundation of a political movement. “People often think that a party does not need research. In my view, a party is a movement, and research is its science,” Megawati said in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday. She made the remarks while inaugurating the leadership of the party’s wing organisations and bodies at the PDIP Central Executive Board office in Menteng, Central Jakarta. Megawati also highlighted the issue of unemployment among educated workers and academics in Indonesia, urging the party’s research body to dissect the problem and seek its root causes and solutions. She reminded the audience that the research body is a crucial instrument for the party to contribute to solving national issues and called on the newly appointed officials to deliver tangible results immediately.

During the ceremony, Megawati swore in Diah Pikatan Orissa Putri Haprani, known as Pinka Haprani, as the new Chairwoman of Taruna Merah Putih, the party’s youth wing. She also inaugurated Nasyirul Falah Amru as Chairman of Baitul Muslimin Indonesia, the party’s Islamic religious wing, and reappointed Andi Widjajanto as Head of the Central Board’s Research and Policy Analysis Agency for the 2025–2030 term. Megawati arrived at the event accompanied by PDIP Central Board Chair and House Speaker Puan Maharani, who held her mother’s hand while greeting attendees. The ceremony proceeded with the reading of oaths, beginning with Pinka Haprani and the entire Taruna Merah Putih board, which includes prominent young figures such as Patria Ginting, former University of Indonesia Student Executive Board Chair Melki Sedek, and journalist Pangeran Siahaan.

Following the swearing-in of the Bamusi leadership, Megawati urged them to work diligently in their roles. Andi Widjajanto was entrusted again to lead the research body, tasked with building a party data centre, conducting studies on national legislation, formulating policies based on people’s ideology, and preparing evaluations and organisational transformation. In her closing address, Megawati delivered a firm message to all newly appointed cadres: “I want to entrust one very important message to all cadres and all wings and bodies of the party: Be loyal to your source, and our source of strength is the people. Never distance yourselves from the people. Listen to their voices. Feel the pulse of their lives. Be present when they face difficulties. Stand with them when they need defence. Because a party that loses its connection with the people has, in essence, lost its source of strength.” PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto stated that the inauguration was part of efforts to strengthen the party’s internal consolidation. He emphasised that the wing organisations and party bodies must focus on assisting and becoming part of the solution to the people’s daily problems while aligning their movements with the party structure.