Megawati Tells Prabowo PDI-P Will Not Join Cabinet, Slams Buzzers

Megawati Soekarnoputri, the fifth President of Indonesia and Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), has revealed details of her communication with President Prabowo Subianto regarding the party’s political stance. Speaking at an event for the National Archives Source Manuscript Exposition II organised by the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) on Monday, she stated that PDI-P will not join the cabinet and will instead position itself outside the government as a balancing force.

Megawati began by explaining that Indonesia adheres to a presidential system, which she argued does not recognise the concept of an opposition. “Our country uses a presidential system, correct or not? It is correct. Why am I always labelled as the opposition? Is there such a thing in a presidential system? There is no opposition, there is no coalition,” she said.

She urged the public to re-read the governmental system, insisting that opposition and coalitions only exist in a parliamentary system. “Please read it if you do not believe me. Read it, do not just talk nonsense. ‘Oh, Mrs. Megawati is just calm saying that because she is the opposition.’ Goodness, if I fight back, they do not understand; if I do not, they act foolishly. So what can I do? That is a parliamentary system, is it not? It is. That is why I said I read, but I often forget the articles, so it does not exist,” she stated.

She then disclosed her conversation with President Prabowo regarding PDI-P’s position. “That is why I said, ‘Mr. Prabowo, Mr. President, I ask for…’ I came and spoke nicely, I will not be offered a position. ‘I will not enter the cabinet, Sir, thank you very much. I will be outside as a balancing force.’ Listen, everyone, I am not the opposition, do not be ridiculous!” Megawati asserted.

She also took aim at online buzzers who continue to question PDI-P’s position, calling them unintelligent. “Do you understand what opposition is or not? I said balancing force, then a buzzer says, ‘What kind of balancing force?’ This buzzer is foolish, they never read. Yes, of course, why is it not allowed? It means if it is right, I will support it; if it is not, surely I am allowed to speak. What else do you want to make of it? This is going into the archives, you know. Yes, of course, what is the point of having this archive, Sir?” she said.