Theressia Sunday Silalahi, Jakarta – Megawati Soekarnoputri, the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said Wednesday that there was nothing wrong about wanting to meet National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

Megawati said last month that she would confront Listyo if her party's secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto got arrested, triggering allegations that the former president is trying to intimidate the police chief. Megawati then tried to dispel the intimidation rumors, saying that she only wanted to talk with Listyo.

"Let me explain it, so please write this down. There is someone who said that I was intimidating the police chief? I doubt this person [who accused me of that] is Indonesian. How come they don't get it even though that's how it works," Megawati said.

"If I were trying to intimidate [Listyo], I would not announce it in public. Then I thought, why can't I meet the police chief? Does he not want to see me? Even to this day, I have not received a letter 'To Her Excellency Madame Mega', so let's just talk," she added.

Megawati held the presidency in 2001-2004. In 2002, Megawati inked laws that split the police and military into two separate bodies.

"I was the one who separated the police force from the military, back when I was still the president. And now people cannot see the police chief? So if I say I want to see him, the police chief should have just opened the door," Megawati said.

The PDI-P matriarch listed some reasons why she insisted on meeting Listyo. Megawati said she planned on asking Listyo about the police's approach to report and data, as well as their non-neutral stance in politics and legal process.

"I don't know whether I will be invited or not. Perhaps the police will send their representatives to meet me. Let's just see. But I just want to speak with [the police chief]," Megawati said.

Hasto has recently come under legal scrutiny. The police had summoned Hasto over allegations of spreading misinformation regarding the 2024 election. Hasto also underwent questioning by the anti-graft commission KPK over a bribery case related to fugitive Harun Masiku.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/megawati-denies-intimidating-police-chief-over-aides-legal-troubl