Yustinus Patris Paat, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) remains undecided about whether it will become an opposition party or a partner of the incoming government led by Prabowo Subianto.

PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri said on Sunday she will take the time to carefully consider the party's political stance towards Prabowo's presidency, which begins in October.

Top PDI-P politicians, including her daughter Puan Maharani, had anticipated that Megawati would announce her stance during the conclusion of the party's three-day national gathering on Sunday. However, Megawati said she is not rushing to make the much-anticipated decision.

"We have to make political calculations first, although journalists are eagerly waiting for this news from the national gathering," Megawati said at the Ancol resort area in North Jakarta.

"PDI-P's political stance will follow the direction that will make Indonesia a better, sovereign, and self-reliant nation. That's the foundation for our choice," she added.

Earlier in the day, Puan, in her closing speech, mentioned that the party had authorized Megawati to make the final decision about PDI-P's position in Prabowo's government – whether as an opposition or a member of the pro-government coalition – after enjoying the status as the governing party for the past decade.

Prabowo became a bitter rival to PDI-P's presidential nominee Ganjar Pranowo after he appointed Gibran Rakabuming Raka, a PDI-P politician, as his running mate. Gibran is the son of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who won two terms as president with PDI-P's backing.

As the first family began to distance themselves from PDI-P, many expected that the party would take on the role of the opposition.

PDI-P remains the largest party in the House of Representatives, although its lead has been significantly reduced to a mere one percentage point over the Golkar Party, according to the results from the February 14 general elections.

Prabowo's Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) ranked third in the last elections, but he has secured support from Golkar and several other incumbent parties to form a coalition that will control over 75 percent of House seats.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/opposition-or-not-pdip-hangs-in-balance-5-months-into-new-governmen