Qodari States Prabowo and Megawati Share Long History of Both Cooperation and Competition
JAKARTA — The Head of the Indonesian Government Communications Agency (Bakom), M. Qodari, stated that President Prabowo Subianto and the 5th President, Megawati Soekarnoputri, share a long-standing relationship. According to Qodari, there are times when political figures work together and other times when they compete.
“President Prabowo and Mrs Megawati have a long history. There are times of cooperation and times of competition, yet they remain united in safeguarding the Pancasila as well as the unity and integrity of the nation,” Qodari told reporters on Tuesday (2/6/2026).
Qodari noted that there is no specific political agenda behind the friendly interaction between Prabowo and Megawati. It is noted that the PDI-P has chosen to remain outside of the Prabowo administration.
“President Prabowo, as the head of government, is focused on implementing development programmes and protecting and advancing public welfare,” he said. “Conversely, Mrs Megawati and the PUD-P have chosen to remain outside the government,” Qodari added.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto and Megawati Soekarnoputri appeared amicable while attending the Pancasila Day commemoration ceremony at the Pancasila Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Jakarta, on Monday (1/6/2026). Based on photos released by the Presidential Secretariat, Prabowo was seen holding hands with Megawati after the ceremony concluded.
Photos also showed Prabowo and Megawati meeting primary school children carrying the Red and White flag. The two figures, who previously campaigned together in the 2009 Presidential Election, were seen amidst the group of students. Other images showed Prabowo and Megawati sitting side-by-side in a room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, alongside Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, former Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla and Ma’ruf Amin, and several high-ranking officials including Foreign Minister Sugiono and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.