PDIP Secretary-General: Fretilin and PDIP Share the Same Inclusive Platform
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Secretary-General of PDI Perjuangan (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, held a dialogue with the leadership of the Fretilin Party, including Fretilin Secretary-General Mari Alkatiri, at the Fretilin Office in Dili, Timor-Leste, on Thursday.
During the meeting, Hasto emphasised that PDI Perjuangan and Fretilin share an inclusive political platform that upholds democratic values. “PDI Perjuangan and Fretilin possess the same inclusive platform. We are driven by the values of equality, democracy, humanity, and social justice. All differences are united by the philosophy of Pancasila,” Hasto stated in a written briefing received in Jakarta.
The meeting served as a forum for exchanging views on democracy, state consolidation, Indonesia-Timor-Leste relations, and the challenges of preserving the ideology and legacy of the founding fathers. Hasto was accompanied by PDIP’s Head of Organisation Andreas H. Pareira, Head of the Research and Policy Analysis Agency Andi Widjajanto, and PDIP’s Foreign Director Hanjaya Setiawan.
Hasto also addressed the challenges of state consolidation within the nation-building process. He noted that the views of Indonesia’s Proclamator, Bung Karno, remain relevant as they are rooted in the nation’s civilisation and geopolitical aspirations for Indonesia’s leadership in a new world order. He explained that Bung Karno once warned that premature and overly liberal democracy could hinder the consolidation process of newly independent nations, a perspective Hasto noted is shared by many developing nations, including Timor-Leste.
Alkatiri also reflected on the profound influence of Bung Karno on his life and struggle, noting that he had been inspired by Bung Karno’s radio speeches since his youth. Meanwhile, Andreas H. Pareira highlighted the close ties between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, noting their shared historical, cultural, and regional future. “What happens in Timor-Leste will influence Indonesia, and vice versa. As brothers, national borders should not be used to separate, but rather to unite,” said Andreas.
Andi Widjajanto added that the relationship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste serves as an important example of how two nations that once experienced conflict can transform into close friends and partners. He cited Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta, who previously noted Indonesia’s role in Timor-Leste’s independence and its serious commitment to helping the nation build economic independence, pointing to Bank Mandiri’s significant presence in Timor-Leste as an example.
Both parties agreed that the strengthening ties between Indonesia and Timor-Leste must continue through political, economic, and educational cooperation, as well as the exchange of ideas between generations. The visit by Hasto and the PDIP delegation to Dili is part of the coordination agenda ahead of the upcoming visit to Timor-Leste by the fifth President of Indonesia and Chairperson of PDIP, Megawati Soekarnoputri, in July.