Megawati Re-Elected as PDI-P Chairperson, Between Internal Stability and Regeneration Challenges

The VI Congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P has confirmed Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Chairperson. This decision was made by acclamation, extending her leadership which has already lasted for more than three decades.

Although it was only announced on Friday (1/8/2025), the signal that Megawati would run again for the position of Chairperson has been evident for a long time. In the Political Speech of the DPP PDI-P on Wednesday (14/8/2024), for instance, Megawati mentioned that she had reconsidered her intention to retire from the chairperson position. This decision was made due to the individuals willing to take over her party.

Previously, Megawati had considered retiring due to her age of 77 and her desire to spend time with family. This statement was made at a time when several internal party figures still wished for Megawati to serve as chairperson again.

In its development, due to Megawati's observation of parties attempting to take over PDI-P, she postponed her intention to retire as chairperson. She then reaffirmed her desire to become the Chairperson of PDI-P once again.

"As soon as I heard that someone wanted to take over the PDI Perjuangan, I said, 'Oh no, this is serious!' I want to be the General Chair again," he stated, greeted by applause from the cadres.

In her political speech at the opening of the 52nd anniversary of PDI-P, at the Party School, Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Friday (10/1/2025), Megawati once again discussed the request from the cadres who wish for her to return as the General Chair of PDI-P for the 2025-2030 term. She revealed that if she is not appointed as the general chair, there are parties that are secretly eyeing her position.

In various important moments, such as the strategic decisions of the party leading up to the 2024 Presidential and Regional Elections, Megawati continues to be the center of power and decision-making. This further highlights her figure, which still occupies the main stage.

Political observer and lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Political Science of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Bakir Ihsan, assesses that Megawati's leadership has transformed into the identity of the party itself.

"The PDI-P has already been personified in the figure of Megawati as an icon of the struggle against the regime that continues to be maintained to this day," he said in Jakarta, Friday (1/8/2025).

This personification, according to him, brings both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, the presence of a central figure can ensure the internal stability of the party as it is capable of dampening conflicts and strengthening the psychological closeness of voters to PDI-P. This also keeps the party solid, as those who disagree prefer to withdraw rather than oppose.

"This centralization of power can be positive if it is accompanied by steps to strengthen the organization by ensuring a merit system within it," he said.

However, on the other hand, this centralization of power, according to him, also carries significant risks, namely hindering leadership regeneration and weakening the diversity and freedoms that are the foundation of a democratic system. This also has the potential to foster internal authoritarianism and dynastic politics, especially when the succession process is not conducted openly and meritocratically.

"Regeneration within political parties is a necessity; therefore, it is advisable to have a limit on the duration of power to prevent corruption," he said.

Megawati began her political career when the PDI-P was still known as the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). Sukarno's second daughter first entered politics in 1987 after being invited to join by Soerjadi, the then-PDI Chairman. Eventually, Megawati was elected as the chairman at the 1993 PDI Congress (Kompas.id, July 26, 2021).

However, an internal conflict occurred that caused the PDI to split into two factions, resulting in a dual leadership within the PDI. The PDI Congress in Medan appointed Soerjadi as the General Chair of the PDI since June 22, 1996.

The peak of the conflict between these two factions occurred during a physical clash at the PDI headquarters on Jalan Diponegoro, Jakarta, known as the July 27, 1996 riots. As a result of this clash, Megawati was unable to participate in the 1997 Presidential Election.

Regeneration within political parties is a necessity, therefore there should be a time limit on the length of power to prevent corruption.

After the end of the leadership of the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto, on May 21, 1998, PDI changed its name. Based on the decision of the PDI Congress in Denpasar, Bali, on February 1, 1999, PDI was renamed PDI Perjuangan (PDI-P) with Megawati as its general chairperson.

Under her leadership, PDI-P successfully won the first election of the reform era in 1999. Her leadership continued through various phases of national politics, including serving as the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia from 2001 to 2004.

In 2014, Megawati once again brought the PDI-P back to the pinnacle of power through Joko Widodo, who was elected as the President of the Republic of Indonesia for two terms until 2024. To this day, the PDI-P continues to dominate the national political landscape.

The PDI-P is not the only political party that maintains the dominance of certain figures as chairpersons. The dominance of figures also occurs in various political parties such as the Democratic Party, which was led by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono before being succeeded by his eldest son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono; the Nasdem Party through its Chairperson Surya Paloh; and the Gerindra Party through Prabowo Subianto.

In addition, there are other parties that are beginning to "perpetuate" their chairpersons, such as PKB through Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar and PAN through Zulkifli Hasan.

The Head of the Political and Social Change Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Arya Fernandes, assessed that the phenomenon of political party chairpersons serving for extended periods occurs due to the absence of regulations limiting the tenure of chairpersons. This allows the position of chairperson to be dominated over the long term.

Arya added that many political parties in Indonesia still rely on certain chairpersons. This dependence is not only due to the need for strong leadership but also for reasons of internal cohesion and party financing.

In fact, the figure of the party chairman often serves as the main financial supporter of the party. "The lack of subsidies from the state and insufficient financial support from the public often leads to party financing being supported by the chairman," he said.

Arya also highlighted the internal strength of the chairman, which is so dominant that there are rarely any elites outside the party circle who dare to challenge his position. This is related to the weak institutional framework of the party and the lack of democratic traditions within the political party.

Regarding the re-election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Chairperson of PDIP, Arya views this decision as a safe step for the party in facing a politically challenging situation. Megawati is considered capable of maintaining internal consolidation within PDI-P.