Indonesia’s Megawati Warns Party Cadres: Serve the People or Forget Re-election

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Megawati Soekarnoputri, Chairwoman of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), has warned cadres seeking re-election not to prioritize publicity over duties and responsibilities.

“If it's just for show, what to do? Don’t expect to be re-elected, I will not approve!” said Megawati during the PDI-P leadership training held virtually on Sunday, September 13.

“If I say find the replacement, then [you] will be replaced! There are still many candidates [for regional heads] anyway,” said the former president of Indonesia.

Megawati urged the candidates for regional heads from PDI-P to dedicate themselves to the people and ensure their welfare.

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Megawati also told the party cadres to learn from others who understand better about the duties so leaders don't take action merely for publicity.

She said she would not give her recommendation to the cadres who run their candidacies only for wealth, position, and power.

“I firmly believe that [this kind of cadre] will not be re-elected. We are very strict in this because, in the process of selecting regional leaders, we always monitor their work.” 

A regional leader who wants to be close to, and fight for, the people will be loved by the people and will be re-elected. She gave an example of the success of President Joko Widodo — a PDI-P cadre — and was elected the country’s president for two terms.

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“Don’t be arrogant if you win the election. I have seen this happen before. Those who have won did not want to go to the grassroots,” she said, adding that that kind of people are unlikely to be nominated.

The third batch of the PDI-P leadership training saw the participation of 2,112 cadres. The three-day event was attended by incumbent regional heads, including two governors, 22 regents, 20 deputy regents, two mayors, and four deputy mayors.

(Writer: Deti Mega Purnamasari | Editor: Fabian Januarius Kuwado)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/09/13/22573691/megawati-saya-bilang-ganti-masih-banyak-yang-mau-jadi-kepala-daerah.