PDIP Delegation Strengthens Ties with Timor-Leste
A delegation from the PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) met with the Congresso Nacional da Reconstrução de Timor (CNRT) party at the CNRT Headquarters in Dili on Wednesday evening, 3 June 2026. The meeting aimed to strengthen ties with Timor-Leste.
The CNRT is one of the largest political parties and the current governing party in Timor-Leste, founded by former President Xanana Gusmão in March 2007. CNRT Secretary-General Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, along with party officials, warmly welcomed PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto with the presentation of a ‘tais’, a traditional Timorese woven cloth.
Hasto Kristiyanto was accompanied by PDIP Organistion Chief Andreas H. Pareira, Head of the PDIP Research and Policy Analysis Agency Andi Widjajanto, and PDIP Foreign Director Hanjaya Setiawan. Francisco was accompanied by several officials, including Vice Chairman Gil da Costa Monteiro, Minister of the Interior Francisco da Costa Gutteres, and Deputy Secretary-General Jasinto Rigoberto Gomes de Deus.
During the friendly and nostalgic meeting, Francisco, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, remarked that Megawati Soekarnoputri and Xanana Gusmão possess great magnanimity and clarity of thought. He noted that despite the dark history shared by Indonesia and Timor-Leste, both leaders have chosen to look forward, facilitating reconciliation and fostering positive relations between the two nations.
“People admire and praise the results of this reconciliation. When Indonesians and Timorese meet, they are like brothers, forgetting past grievances and being able to laugh together,” said Francisco. He expressed hope that this meeting would serve as a bridge between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, encompassing both political and humanitarian aspects.
Hasto remarked that the histories of struggle for both CNRT and PDIP are not far apart, as both emerged from histories of oppression using similar guerrilla principles. “If CNRT fought guerrilla warfare in the forests, then PDIP fought guerrilla warfare in the cities,” Hasto stated.
On this occasion, Hasto requested support from political parties, particularly CNRT, to ensure the upcoming visit of the fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia and PDIP Chairperson, Megawati Soekarnoputri, to Dili is successful, smooth, and safe. Secretary-General Francisco promised that Megawati would be warmly received during her visit to Dili this coming July.
As previously reported, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta has invited Megawati to Dili to receive the ‘Grand Collar Order of Timor-Leste’, the highest award from the government of Timor-Leste. Megawati is receiving this honour for her role in establishing the roadmap towards reconciliation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
Following the meeting at the CNRT headquarters, Hasto and the delegation attended a dinner at the residence of Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. The dinner featured productive and constructive political dialogues and concluded with the presentation of a gift from the CNRT party for Megawati.