The PDI-P Secretary General Remains a Mystery, with Pramono Anung and Andi Widjajanto Said to Have a Chance

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - More than a week after the VI Congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P, there is still no clarity regarding which party cadre will fill the position of secretary general.

Nevertheless, this crucial position is expected to be filled by someone capable of bridging communication between PDI-P and the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, uniting the internal party, and being close to the Soekarno lineage. It is rumored that there will be surprises in the determination of the position of secretary general.

The structure of the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of PDI-P for the 2025–2030 period has been announced at the 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.

Senior PDI-P politician, Sidarto Danusubroto, when contacted from Jakarta on Tuesday (15/8/2025), stated that the appointment of the secretary-general is entirely the prerogative of the chairman. "There is no secretary-general yet, I cannot predict," he said when contacted from Jakarta on Tuesday (15/8/2025).

Sidarto emphasized that the position is still held by Megawati not to avoid internal tug-of-war, but because Megawati considers many factors before selecting one of the cadres for that crucial position.

"We'll decide who it will be later. Ibu (Megawati) will definitely make a wiser choice," he said.

He is reluctant to speculate on the name of the prospective secretary-general. However, considering previous experiences, he believes that the ideal candidate should be able to bridge communication between PDI-P and the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, connect the leadership with cadres in the regions, and maintain good relations within the extended family of the Soekarno lineage.

"Of course, this can be a communication bridge for all parties," he added.

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).

Contacted separately, senior researcher at the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Lili Romli, assessed that the position of the secretary-general in PDI-P is very strategic. In addition to being the extension of the chairperson, the secretary-general also serves as the party spokesperson and a communication link with external parties.

"For the PDI-P, finding the right person isn't easy. They not only need to have chemistry with Megawati, but they also need to be able to build a bridge of communication between Prabowo and Megawati," he said.

According to Lili, the ideal name is actually Pramono Anung due to his closeness to Megawati and his ability to communicate with Prabowo. However, at present, Pramono, who previously served as Secretary-General of PDI-P from 2010 to 2015, is currently serving as the Governor of DKI Jakarta with a heavy workload.

Another name that emerged is Utut Adianto, a former deputy secretary-general who is close to Megawati, and Ahmad Basarah, who also has a good relationship with Prabowo, although he is often associated with the faction of Puan Maharani.

Regarding Hasto Kristiyanto, he assesses that the chances of him returning to the position of secretary-general are slim. This is not due to his capacity, but rather because his legal case is considered detrimental to the party's image, even though he has received amnesty from President Prabowo concerning the bribery case that implicated him.

Lili predicts that the surprise referred to by Puan is likely a name that has not been circulating until now. Therefore, she sees Andi Widjajanto as having a significant opportunity to occupy the position of secretary general.

"He is close to Ibu Mega, an ideologue, has good communication skills, is not explosive, and can translate what Ibu Megawati wants," he said.

If elected, Lili continued, Andi will become a loyalist of Megawati who will directly confront the electoral strategies of President Joko Widodo in the upcoming elections. As a political strategist, he is considered capable of strengthening the image of PDI-P. "The image of PDI-P can be restored," she stated.

A Bakir Ihsan, a Political Science lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, also considers Andi Widjajanto to be the most suitable figure among the several names mentioned.

The reason is that Andi possesses intellectual capabilities that can provide a new image for PDI-P, experience as the Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), and cabinet secretary, as well as a shared concern for defense issues that are the focus of President Prabowo.

On the other hand, Andi is also said to represent the regeneration of the 1970s generation within the party. Andi was born in 1971, while Puan was born in 1973.

"Megawati has been the chairperson for a considerable time. Gradually, there is a need to consider regeneration, although the regeneration of the chairperson could fall to Puan or Prananda (Megawati's son, Prananda Prabowo). However, at the lower levels, this needs to be contemplated," said Bakir.

Bakir added that Andi also represents intellectualism, capable of upholding the diversity that characterizes PDI-P, and combining rational ideology with the ability to explain it to the public. "Mr. Andi can complement the existing image of PDI-P. Explaining the party's ideology is not merely emotional, but rather a rational ideology that can be logically understood by the broader community," he stated.

Andi's loyalty, who chose to resign from the Governor of Lemhannas when he had a differing stance from President Joko Widodo during the 2024 Presidential Election, has become an added value.

"I think Mas Andi's defense of resigning as Governor of Lemhannas when he disagreed with Jokowi in the 2024 presidential election demonstrates his consistency and loyalty to the party. From a pragmatic perspective, why should he resign? It's already good. But he didn't choose that," he said.

In line with Lili, although Pramono Anung has extensive political experience, he is currently focused on his position as the Governor of Jakarta. "Because success in this gubernatorial position will serve as an incentive for the party. Therefore, let those who hold regional head positions be supported in successfully carrying out their duties," he stated.