Tomorrow is the First Meeting of the PDI-P Central Executive Board for the New Period, and Will the PDI-P Secretary General Be Announced?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Central Leadership Council of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or DPP PDI-P for the 2025–2030 period will hold its inaugural plenary meeting on Thursday (14/8/2025). This agenda has sparked speculation about whether it will also serve as the moment for the announcement of the party's secretary general, which bears the symbol of the white-nosed bull.

PDI-P politician Hendrawan Supratikno said that the plenary meeting would be the first meeting of the DPP management resulting from the 6th Congress.

"Wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow there will be the first plenary meeting of the DPP 2025–2030," he said when asked whether the new party secretary general would also be announced during the meeting, Wednesday (13/8/2025).

The structure of the DPP PDI-P management for the 2025–2030 period has been announced at the VI Congress held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on Saturday (2/8/2025). A total of 37 names have been appointed as central administrators. However, specifically for the position of secretary-general, it is still held concurrently by the Chairperson of PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Although there is no certainty whether the PDI-P cadre filling the position of secretary-general will be announced simultaneously, Hendrawan predicts that the possibility of such an announcement is open. "'It seems likely' so," he said.

Regarding who will be appointed by Megawati for the position of secretary-general, he admitted that he does not yet know. The decision to appoint the secretary-general is entirely at Megawati's discretion.

"We all don't know yet who will be appointed as secretary general," he said.

So far, several names have circulated that are considered likely to be chosen by Megawati to serve as secretary general. Among them are Hasto Kristiyanto, who held the position of secretary general for two terms before the VI PDI-P Congress. Then, there is the former secretary general of PDI-P who is now the Governor of Jakarta, Pramono Anung. Additionally, there are names such as Ahmad Basarah, Olly Dondokambey, and Andi Widjajanto.

The Head of the PDI-P Honorary Division, Komarudin Watubun, also admitted that he did not know whether the announcement of the secretary general would be made at the meeting.

Ganjar Pranowo, Head of the Regional Government and Autonomy Division, echoed this sentiment. "I don't know yet," he said.

PDI-P politician Hendrar Prihadi also stated that he had not received any information regarding the secretary-general's announcement. "I haven't received any information," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Legal Reform and Human Rights Division, Yasonna Laoly, said he only knew about the inaugural meeting tomorrow. "You're more up-to-date than I am. I know there's an inaugural meeting tomorrow," he said.

He added that the documents and requirements needed for the ratification of the PDI-P management resulting from the VI Congress at the Ministry of Law are still being prepared to this day.

"The reporting deadline is 30 days. We are still preparing the necessary documents," he stated. If the VI PDI-P Congress to confirm the new management was held on August 2, it means the reporting deadline to the Ministry of Law will approximately end around September 2, 2025.

The PDI-P politician, Guntur Romli, is reluctant to speculate on who will fill the position of Secretary General of PDI-P. He merely emphasized that the position of Secretary General is the prerogative of the Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"We are just waiting for whoever he appoints to be obedient and submissive," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the DPP PDI-P, Puan Maharani, previously stated that there would be a surprise regarding the new secretary-general's name. She urged all parties to await the prerogative decision from Megawati.

"There will definitely be surprises, yes. Let's just wait for the surprises," said Puan, who is also the Chair of the DPR, after receiving the President of Peru, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (11/8/2025).

The Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia (PPI), Adi Prayitno, believes that there are two surprises that may occur behind the position of the Secretary-General of PDI-P. One of the surprises is the emergence of a new figure as the Secretary-General of the party.

"Regarding the surprise, there are two possibilities. First, a new secretary general may emerge, which would certainly be a surprise since Hasto has been rumored to be the secretary general again," said Adi.

Another surprise, he said, is that Hasto Kristiyanto has been re-elected as the Secretary-General of PDI-P. According to him, this situation is also surprising because Hasto will become the longest-serving Secretary-General of PDI-P.

"Second, Hasto will remain secretary-general. This will certainly be a surprise, as Hasto will be the longest-serving PDI-P secretary-general, breaking the record," he said.

Nevertheless, Adi could not predict who the Secretary-General of PDI-P would be chosen by Megawati. He mentioned that there are many figures who could fill that position.

"It is pitch dark. This is because there are so many nominees for the Secretary-General of PDI-P. Due to the overwhelming number, PDI-P seems to be struggling to find the most suitable candidate for that position," he said.