TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PDIP chair Megawati Soekarnoputri praised her daughter, Puan Maharani, as she talked about gender equality issues during the party’s national working meeting in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Megawati claimed she felt unsettled that women often don't get the opportunities as men get in many sectors.

“Recently, as part of my contemplation, I have often wondered that we [Indonesia] are already independent, sovereign, free, and active, but why women are still being told to just watch,” Megawati said on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

She asserted that women could also be a leader like her who served the country as the fifth President. “Women can also be like me,” she added.

Megawati also asked all elements not to discriminate between women and men. Even in religious teachings, especially Islam, there is no difference in their roles in various fields.

She thus praised Puan, who is the House of Representatives (DPR) Speakeruan Maharani, for succeeding to be the chairperson of the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Session in Nusa Dua, Bali last March.

When asked whether Megawati’s statement was a signal that PDIP will nominate a female presidential candidate in the 2024 General Elections, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto was reluctant to provide an answer. What’s clear, he stated, Megawati emphasized that there should be no discrimination between women and men.

To date, the PDIP has not yet decided on figures it will nominate as presidential candidates in the upcoming election. Reports said the party has two options: Puan Maharani and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.

DEWI NURITA

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