Megawati Leads DPP Meeting, Highlights El Niño and Forest Fire Anticipation

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri led the 59th Central Executive Board (DPP) meeting at the Party School in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. The meeting formulated the party’s strategic steps to confront the global climate crisis, which is increasingly seen as having a direct impact on society. Megawati, accompanied by DPP Chairs Eriko Sotarduga and Bintang Puspayoga, was greeted by Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto and other DPP leaders upon arrival. Hasto explained that the meeting’s outcomes constitute a party mandate issued through an official DPP instruction. “With this instruction, the party affirms its full preparedness in anticipating the potential El Niño phenomenon and the threat of a prolonged dry season,” Hasto said. The urgency of addressing this crisis is heightened by predictions that the El Niño phenomenon in Indonesia will not be short-lived but will extend from May 2026 to May 2027. The anomalous rise in Pacific Ocean temperatures poses a serious threat as it could trigger extreme drought, causing a drastic drop in food production and fuelling national food inflation. By the end of June 2026, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded that several regions in Indonesia had officially entered the dry season. In Bali and Nusa Tenggara, drought has already affected 69 out of 75 seasonal zones. On Java, 140 out of 193 seasonal zones are impacted, while Kalimantan has begun recording 6 affected zones out of 67. “The real threat of plummeting food supplies and shrinking water resources due to a full-year El Niño is the basis for Ibu Megawati and the Party to move quickly, implementing mitigation measures as early as possible through the entire party structure,” Hasto stated. Through Instruction Letter No. 1110/IN/DPP//2026, the DPP mobilised the party’s ‘Three Pillars’ across Indonesia to execute an eight-point emergency response action plan. The points include: first, water conservation education, encouraging the public to save water and promoting a culture of early rainwater harvesting using tanks, infiltration wells, and small reservoirs. Second, a water storage movement facilitating the construction of water catchment facilities in residential areas and optimising the use of springs, rivers, and rainwater. Third, drought mitigation by mapping vulnerable areas, coordinating with local governments for clean water distribution, and preparing rapid emergency response measures. Fourth, forest and land fire mitigation to enhance preparedness in prone areas, conduct integrated patrols, socialise fire prevention, and ensure the availability of firefighting equipment and water sources. Fifth, protection of the farming sector by promoting drought-adaptive planting patterns, supporting water-saving technology and alternative irrigation, and overseeing aid for affected farmers. Sixth, food sufficiency by monitoring food stocks and distribution to maintain supply stability and market prices. Seventh, mutual cooperation solidarity by mobilising cadres and sympathisers for social services distributing clean water and basic necessities. Finally, periodic reporting mandating regular monitoring and evaluation of regional conditions to the DPP. According to Hasto, these tactical measures to face El Niño reinforce the environmental policy foundation previously laid out by the party. Through Instruction Letter No. 180/IN/DPP//2025, issued on 15 October 2025, the party issued firm directives specifically to regional heads and deputy heads who are PDI Perjuangan cadres regarding water resource management. Based on the mandate of Article 33, Paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution, Megawati, through the DPP, emphasised four points: an inventory of springs requiring re-registration of all water sources to ensure their use is for the people’s benefit; a review of private sector policies to prevent conflicts over raw water usage; the principle of ‘Merawat Pertiwi’ (Nurturing the Earth) prioritising fair, sustainable, and community-involved water management; and ideological accountability by reporting review and inventory results directly to the DPP as proof of commitment to Bung Karno’s line of struggle. Eriko Sotarduga stated that both instruction letters were signed by him and Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto. “This is tangible proof that PDI Perjuangan does not only act when disaster strikes, but consistently builds strong environmental resilience for the prosperity of the Indonesian people,” Eriko said.