TEMPO.CO, Surabaya – Herman Khaeron, the chairman of the Democrat Party’s central executive board, said he was optimistic that the chair of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Soekarnoputri, would attend the upcoming Democrat’s 4th National Congress at Shangri-La Hotel in Surabaya, East Java.
Herman said Megawati’s arrival at the event was critical for the reconciliation between Democrat chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Megawati.
“We hope Ibu Mega can attend the event to show that there is no row between Ibu Mega and Pak SBY [Yudhoyono],” he told Tempo on Monday, May 11, 2015.
On May 8, 2015, members of the Democrat congress’ committee came to Megawati’s residence on Jl. Teuku Umar in Jakarta to present the invitation to the congress to the PDI’s chair.
The Democrats—secretary general Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, advisory council member Agus Hermanto and executive chair Syarief Hasan—met with Megawati, who was accompanied by PDI-P politicians Pramono Anung and Olly Dondokambey.
Herman said Megawati promised she would attend the congress, which is held to select the next Democrat chairman for 2015-2019. “Hopefully she can really arrive at the event and show her statecraft,” said Herman, who is also a member of the congress’ committee.
Democrat steering committee chairman Syarief Hasan, meanwhile, said Megawati had yet to confirm her attendance for the event to date. “She will try to come, otherwise she will send a representative,” Syarief said.
The committee also invited all chairmen of the other parties—excluding the Golkar Party and the National Development Party (PPP)— and President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
“Jokowi’s status is still on, meaning that he will attend the event. I hope he will keep his promise,” Syarief said.
Some 1,200 Democrat cadres have arrived today in the East Java’s capital of Surabaya for the congress, which will be opened by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
PUTRI ADITYOWATI
