REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Secretary-General of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto denied the obstacle faced by Democratic Party to join the government coalition was related to poor relation of the two parties leaders. His comment came as a response to General Chairman of Democratic Party Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY's) complaint about Chairperson of PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Hasto said it was an old song. He said SBY always came up with the issue ahead of the election.
"Just look at the digital traces or at printed medias. Ahead of presidential election, Pak SBY always complaining about Ibu Megawati. On the other hand, Ibu Megawati does not have any problem. She stays silent because she believes that the truth will prevail," Hasto said in a written statement on Thursday.
According to Hasto, SBY brought up his seasonal complaint for the sake oof his son's political career, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY). He assessed that all of SBY's political moves intended to secure his son post's.
"Megawati is beyond that. She always speaks for PDIP, for Joko Widodo, for the people, the country and the nation, while Pak SBY has always been complaining about his relation (with Megawati)," Hasto said.
Hasto advised SBY to be more wise and stop being doubtful. He assesed SBY's complex calculation on AHY's future was the real obstacle to join the government coalition.
"He should introspect himself and not bring up Megawati's name as a hindrance," Hasto remarked.
Earlier, SBY gas stated the reason that hindered his party from joining the government coalition. He explained that he did not have any problem with incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
In fact, Jokowi has offered ministerial post if Democratic Party joined the coalition, SBY claimed. On the other hand, he stressed that he never proposed his son AHY to be Jokowi's running mate in presidential election 2019.
SBY was objected to the statement that came from United Development Party (PPP) chairman M Romahurmuziy. Previously, Romahurmuziy stated that Democratic Party did not want to join Jokowi coalition because of unfulfilled demand related to vice-presidential post. SBY expected Romahurmuziy to be careful in making statement.
According to SBY, his party could not join Jokowi coalition because of his poor relation with Megawati. Their relation began to stretch since SBY who was a minister in Megawati cabinet decided to challenge her and her vice-presidential candidate, Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi in the 2004 presidential election. Paired up with Golkar Party senior politician Jusuf Kalla, SBY won the 2004 election.
The rematch occurred in 2009. SBY as incumbent president tried to prolong his leadership by picking up governor of Bank Indonesia Boediono as vice-presidential candidate. Megawati and former special forces general Prabowo Subianto as her running mate lost the battle.
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