Jakarta – Political analyst Boni Hargens said that the reason Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri had not endorsed Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as the party's presidential candidate was that she wanted to protect the popular politician.

Boni said that Megawati had been trying to protect Jokowi from smear campaigns that could intensify once his candidacy was announced.

"Even before being named a presidential candidate, [Jokowi] had been attacked by Ical, TV One. Just look at their news coverage," Boni said, referring to Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie and his television channel, which was currently running massive coverage on the Jakarta floods.

Boni said that Megawati would eventually endorse Jokowi as the party's presidential candidate. He said Megawati was sensible enough to realize that the public wanted Jokowi more than herself.