Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) founder Megawati Soekarnoputri has expressed hope that a theatrical performance staged for her 71st birthday celebration would help guests, including President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, in refreshing their minds from the challenges of the 2018-2019 political years.
At the opening show on Tuesday, Megawati said, "I hope this performance will help us forget a little bit about this political year, which will perhaps be full of tension."
She also conveyed a special message to Jokowi and other politicians in the audience, saying that it was truly worth taking the time to watch the play, directed by renowned stage actor and comedian Butet Kertaradjasa.
"For Pak [Mister] President, tell your adjutants not to be in a hurry so you and the others [...] can relax [your] minds. So, when the time comes for us to take up the fight, we will fight well to win our democracy," said Megawati.
The PDI-P matriarch was referring to this year's simultaneous regional elections and next year's concurrent presidential and legislative elections, during which political parties would form alliances in pushing for their candidates.
The play takes its name, Satyam Eva Jayate, from Sanskrit, and means "only truth will triumph".
In addition to the President, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and other distinguished guests also attended the premiere show, including former vice president Try Sutrisno, State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan and Golkar politician Agum Gumelar.
Several Cabinet ministers from the PDI-P also attended the show, including Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, who is also Megawati's daughter, and Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly. (ebf)