Regent Masinton Obeys Megawati's Order Not to Retreat, How Many PDI-P Regional Heads Are There in Total?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Regent of Central Tapanuli, Masinton Pasaribu, has decided to postpone his departure to Magelang, Central Java, for the regional leaders' retreat scheduled to take place from February 21 to 28. The cadre of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, chose to wait for directives from PDI-P Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri following the issuance of instructions for all regional heads and deputy regional heads from PDI-P to delay their travel to the regional leaders' retreat.

In response to the detention of PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto by the Corruption Eradication Commission on Thursday night (20/2/2025), Megawati issued a new directive to all regional heads and deputy regional heads from PDI-P. The directive, signed by Megawati on February 20, 2025, instructed regional heads from PDI-P to postpone their travel to the regional heads' retreat event in Magelang scheduled for February 21-28, 2025.

"On the way to the City of Magelang to stop and await further instructions from the Chairperson," said Megawati as stated in the instruction letter to regional heads and deputy regional heads of PDI-P, obtained by Kompas.

In the instruction letter, regional heads are expected to remain in active communication and stand by commander call.

Based on data from the 2024 Pilkada Winners Supported by PDI-P, it is known that there are 167 PDI-P cadres who were elected as regional heads or deputy regional heads as a result of the 2024 Pilkada. In detail, there are nine cadres who were elected for the provincial region and 158 at the district/city level.

When contacted on Friday (21/2/2025), Masinton said that he would temporarily postpone his departure to Magelang to attend the 2025 regional head retreat. He also admitted that he is currently still in Jakarta and has not yet left for Magelang.

"Meanwhile, I am postponing my departure to Magelang until there are further instructions from Mrs. Megawati Sukarnoputri," said Masinton.

It is known that after the regional heads were inaugurated on Thursday (20/2/2025), the regional leaders will attend a retreat at the Magelang Military Academy (Akmil) complex. The leadership orientation or often referred to as a retreat for 505 heads of the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) is said to take place at Glamping Borobudur Internasional Golf, Magelang, for eight days, precisely on 21-28 February.

Masinton asserted that he is still waiting for Megawati's direction before deciding to leave for Magelang to join the regional head retreat. Regarding the government duties in Central Tapanuli Regency, he has divided the tasks with Deputy Regent Mahmud Efendi who will return to Central Tapanuli first.

On Monday (24/2/2025), Mahmud will directly lead a meeting with regional apparatus. "We have shared the tasks with the Deputy Regent who will return to Central Tapanuli, the day after Monday directly leading a meeting with the ranks of regional apparatus organizations in the Central Tapanuli Regency Government," said Masinton.

When asked whether he would definitely not join the retreat and would immediately return to Central Tapanuli, Masinton confirmed that for now, he is still in Jakarta. He could not confirm the future decision because he was still waiting for direction from Megawati.

He also responded regarding the purpose of holding the regional head retreat, namely to synchronize central and regional programs. According to Masinton, even if they do not attend the retreat, the president's priority programs must remain in line with development in the regions.

Masinton ensured that as a regional head, the tasks of the regional government must be in line with the central government. "Certainly, the tasks of the regional government must be in line with the central government, especially the President's priority development programs in the regions of Indonesia," he said.

After being questioned since Thursday (20/2/2025) morning, the KPK decided to detain Hasto Kristiyanto. Hasto is a suspect in bribery of the management of DPR members 2019-2024 and obstruction of investigation of the same case.

Chairman of the Honorary Division of the PDI-P DPP Komarudin Watubun in a press conference at the PDI-P DPP Office, Jakarta, Thursday (20/2/2025) evening, said that after Hasto's arrest, PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri did not appoint an acting PDI-P secretary general. All party commands are fully held by the PDI-P General Chair.

"The Chairwoman did not appoint an acting secretary general. The command is controlled directly by the Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri," said Komarudin.

Komarudin continued, PDI-P is used to facing pressure. However, Megawati emphasized that her party still has a long breath. "The PDI Perjuangan network is asked to remain calm, to remain ready to face the worst situation," said Komarudin.

Megawati also advised all cadres not to talk about Hasto's legal case. All cadres were asked to act according to Megawati's command.

"At the same time, this is a guideline for all PDI Perjuangan cadres and sympathizers, all remain on alert waiting for a command from the PDI Perjuangan General Chair," said Komarudin.