Headline:
PDIP‘s Congress in 2025: Megawati’s Return as Chairperson a Big Possibility, Says Bintang
Subhead:
Party plans democratic process for determining new leadership, dismisses corruption case impact.
Article:
In the heart of Bali, at the cantonment of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), whispers of the 2025 Congress have begun to echo. The possibility of Indonesia’s "Iron Lady," Megawati Soekarnoputri, returning as the party’s Chairperson has sparked keen interest, with many expecting a democratic and inclusive process.
Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, better known as Bintang Puspayoga and currently heading the Women and Child Division of the Preparatory Committee for PDIP’s Congress (DPP), has hinted at the likelihood of Megawati’s re-election. "PDIP is a very democratic party," she said, detailing the bottom-up nomination process that begins with the grassroots and ascends through regional and provincial branches before reaching the Party Congress Assembly (MPC). "The opportunity and chance for a woman to lead PDIP is very open," Bintang, a former Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, assertively stated.
While Bintang emphasized Megawati’s potential return, she refrained from commenting further on other potential candidates. "That’s still in process," she said, emphasizing the internal nature of the party’s leadership determination.
PDIP, however, faces challenges ahead of the historic Congress. Recently, its Secretary-General, Hasto Kristiyanto, was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with the Harun Masiku bribery case. Bintang, nonetheless, remains confident that this development will not impact the congress. "It doesn’t seem so," she said, attributing the matter to a different realm of concern.
Previously, Megawati has hinted at attempts to disrupt the upcoming party congress. Speaking at a book launch event in Jakarta, she mentioned that certain parties wished to impede the PDIP Congress but that her party’s members still desired her leadership. Initially expressing a willingness to retire, Megawati later explained, "If it’s still like this, and the members still want it, then I must continue [as the chairperson]."
As PDIP looks ahead to its 2025 Congress, the possibility of Megawati’s return looms large, fueled by the party’s democratic spirit and the widespread support of her membership. Despite recent challenges, PDIP remains steadfast in its preparations for another pivotal moment in its history.
(Source: iws/gsp)
