January 11, 2024
JAKARTA – Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri has warned politicians in the country not to use the elections as a means to prolong their terms in office, an apparent swipe at incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Megawati made the comment in off-the-cuff remarks during a public event held to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the PDI-P in South Jakarta on Wednesday.
“A general election is not a tool for the elites to extend their time in office by using any means necessary,” Megawati said.
The party matriarch also warned the country’s next president, who will be elected into office in February this year, to keep in mind that they could only serve for two terms.
“Power has its limits. Power will at some point stop, whatever the position may be. Only God is eternal,” Megawati said.
The PDI-P held the event on Wednesday in the absence of the President, who was in Manila for bilateral talks with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin was the most senior government official to attend Wednesday’s event.
The relationship between Megawati and President Jokowi has reached a nadir, especially following the Constitutional Court’s decision to change the Elections Law to allow for the latter’s son Gibran Rakambuming Raka to run as vice presidential candidate alongside frontrunner in the race Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto.