TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Joko Widodo poured water into Megawati Soekarnoputri's glass, when this chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) ended her speech at the opening of the party congress in Sanur, Bali, last week. Mega, sitting between Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, drank her water.
The presence of Jokowi and Megawati together was the spotlight of the week, given their current less-than-warm relationship. In her speech, Megawati said that the mobilization of volunteers to help with the recent presidential election was piggy-backed by many opportunists. She urged the Jokowi-Kalla government to follow the party line and policies because they were supported by a coalition of a number of political parties. She reminded Jokowi that he had to be a leader who remained faithful to the constitution.
Last week's PDI-P congress was the first time both Megawati and Jokowi appeared in public. They last appeared together during the Hanura Party congress in Solo, Central Java last February. At that time the nomination of Comr. Gen. Budi as police chief had cooled considerably relations between these two political figures.
After attending the opening of the congress, Jokowi spoke to Tempo reporter Ananda Teresia at Ngurah Rai airport in Bali.
Megawati's political speech seemed a direct criticism of yourself.
It was very good. Leaders must serve the people, but a leader must also have an ideology.
The speech made snide remarks about the government, like having people who only sought self-gratification.
No. I don't think she meant that. She only hoped that there were no people piggy-backing on the programs.
Mega also referred to the contracts covering oil and gas, and mining, saying they should be returned to the country.
That's good, right? We began as a sovereign state, independent and having our own identity. All preparations of our human resources should go in that direction. But that doesn't mean that we are anti-foreigners or anti-investment. In other words, we should consider cooperation or joint ventures, or whatever the contract, but they must be negotiated well. There should be equality, because national interest should not lose out. That should be the direction.
It looks like Mega hopes for an improvement in communication with the government.
Yes, building a communication system is important. Not just for the supporting parties but with other political parties. I think intense communication is needed.
What kind of communication do you hope to have with Mega?
(Laughing) I communicate well with the party, no specific pattern needed. From the start, when we wanted to meet, we would and could at any time. It's just that we don't tell the public when we meet or where. If we meet on a daily basis, why should we tell [everyone]? (*)
Read the full interview in this weeks edition of Tempo English Magazine