TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, asserted that the Pancasila (five state-ideologies) remains to be the main force driving PDIP in Indonesia's political stage.

This statement comes as a rebuttal to allegations accusing PDIP's founder Soekarno and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo are some of the people who adopt communist views.

"Myself and Pak Jokowi are accused of being communists. Where's the logic behind that?" said Megawati in her acceptance speech during the opening ceremony of the PDIP school of future leaders on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

Megawati took the moment to recall her political career since she first stepped foot to Indonesia's politics as a legislator up to when she was elected as president. She also said that she had undergone thorough screening before moving forward to become a candidate for the House of Representatives (DPR).

"Simply put, the people screening me are the ones who are [communists]," Megawati rhetorically asked.

The former fifth Indonesian president also reminded regional-head candidates to serve the public and abides by Pancasila ideologies. Megawati also condemns any form of intolerance that has the potential to divide the nation.

YEREMIAS A. SANTOSO