Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Stop bickering and get to work helping the people, former President Megawati Sukarnoputri said on Monday as the opposition leader chided the government and its allies.
The chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said internal political battles are a "chronic disease" within the current government, contributing to its failure to fulfill its constitutional mandates.
In a statement during the party's 38th anniversary celebration in Jakarta, Megawati said virtually all political leaders within the ruling coalition are busy talking about the political maneuvering of the Joint Secretariat or a possible cabinet reshuffle, but they are not serious about lifting the people out of poverty. "This is a mentality disastrous for our nation," she said.
Megawati also said she was uncomfortable over the ongoing approaches being made toward the PDI-P by members of the ruling coalition, stressing that almost all national politicians enjoy their proximity to power without understanding the negative implications of such an attitude.
"Our historical aspiration as a party is bigger than just seats in the legislature, seats in the cabinet or playing a role at the State Palace," she said. "Struggling for the sake of the poor is more important than political power per se."
Officials of the ruling Democratic Party have acknowledged approaching the PDI-P – the only significant opposition party in the House of Representatives – about cooperating with the governing coalition. But so far Megawati has rebuffed the courtship.
On a range of issues, from inflows of volatile foreign money and the stock exchange to rising food prices, Megawati said the current government is not thinking about the common people.
On legal affairs, she said, the ruling coalition has failed to settle the "illegal" 2008 Bank Century bailout and the ongoing tax mafia case involving Gayus Tambunan. "Is this what the government claims is 'working for the people?' " she said.
Democrat Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum, who attended the speech, said Megawati's statements were normal for the leader of the opposition.
"Her statements can motivate us to do better. Most importantly, we share with the PDI-P the goal of increasing the people's welfare," Anas said.
Megawati said the discussion about who will be leading the party in the election year 2014 is still premature.