PDI-P Congress Reportedly in August, Panda Nababan: Megawati Has Calculated Everything

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The VI Congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P is believed to be awaiting the right moment. This is entirely a political calculation by the Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Senior PDI-P politician Panda Nababan also emphasized that the organization of the congress will not wait for the outcome of the corruption case involving PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto. The congress will be held according to the pre-established plan and not in response to external pressures.

"This congress has nothing to do with him (Hasto). There's no point in waiting for Hasto's trial," Panda said in a special interview with Kompas for the "Gercep" podcast program at the Kompas Gramedia Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (July 15, 2025).

Based on information obtained by Kompas, the 6th PDI-P Congress is likely to be held in Bali between late July and early August 2025. With this schedule, the congress is expected to take place after Hasto Kristiyanto's sentencing hearing on July 25, 2025. At the party's highest forum, one of the main agenda items will be to request Megawati's willingness to return as PDI-P Chairperson.

Panda stated that Megawati has prepared everything very thoroughly. The timing of the congress is not merely a technical matter, but requires very careful political calculations.

"We do not want to get caught up in calculations regarding which month. This is Mega, and we know when to make a move. Mega has political calculations that are truly beyond expectations," said Panda.

Panda also dismissed the notion that there are parties attempting to disrupt the PDI-P Congress, including if it refers to one of the former PDI-P cadres, namely the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. According to Panda, Jokowi no longer holds influence within the internal structure of PDI-P. He emphasized that the party consolidation process from the level of branch leadership (PAC) to the regional leadership council (DPD) has been completed.

Panda also dismissed the notion that there are parties intending to disrupt the PDI-P Congress, including if it refers to one of the former cadres of PDI-P, namely the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.

"No, let alone influence, there is no longer any scent of it. He (Jokowi) is finished. Why? Because he has made himself finished. He has rendered himself dishonorable. He has made himself unappreciated. So, you see, he is not in a position, in the capacity and ability to intervene. He is not even one millimeter of a person who is taken into account," emphasized Panda.

Previously, Megawati had conveyed that she had received reports that there were parties seeking to disrupt or "disorganize" the PDI-P. These parties reportedly did not want Megawati to become the party's chairperson again, claiming she had failed to lead the PDI-P. Megawati made this statement in her keynote speech, "Book Launch and Discussion: The 2024 Presidential Election Between Law, Ethics, and Psychological Considerations," in Jakarta on December 12, 2024.

However, Panda confirmed that no parties are currently known to be seeking to thwart the congress. "There are no cliques, no syndicates that are gathering forces to thwart the congress. If the PDI-P wanted to do that, it would have been obvious," he said.

As the Congress approaches, the process of regeneration within the PDI-P has also come under scrutiny. Panda assesses that regeneration in his party continues without being trapped in lineage or what is referred to as "blue blood." All cadres have equal opportunities, including Megawati's two children, Puan Maharani and Prananda Prabowo.

Several young cadres are considered to have demonstrated leadership capacity, including in terms of replacing strategic positions such as Secretary General and Chairman. For instance, there are Ahmad Basarah, Utut Adianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Yasonna Laoly, Olly Dondokambey, and Said Abdullah.

"There's no such thing as 'blue blood.' It doesn't exist. Megawati takes offense when people call her 'blue blood.' So, I'm not too worried. It's automatic (party regeneration will definitely happen). There's no need to make calculations. We have many potential cadres like that," he said.

According to Panda, Puan and Prananda are not given any special treatment. Both have been well-trained to lead the PDI-P. "Therefore, I don't have any questions (about who the PDI-P chairman will be), because I see the process as being on the right track. No one is being given special treatment, no one is being made number one, or anything. It's just a process. Puan can be elected. Prananda can be elected," he said.

For Puan and Prananda, according to Panda, there is nothing special.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the DPP PDI-P, Said Abdullah, when met at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Friday (18/7/2025), stated that there has been no information from the Chairperson of PDI-P regarding the implementation of the congress. "We are waiting for the decision from the chairperson (Megawati)," he said.

Regarding the PDI-P congress, in early July, Puan, when met at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta, also urged the public to be patient regarding when her party's congress will be held. "Be patient," she said with a smile.

He was also reluctant to disclose which PDI-P cadre has been appointed as the executive chairman of the VI PDI-P Congress. "We will announce it as soon as possible," he stated.