Jokowi the kingmaker? Indonesia’s ruling party gripped by search for a successor

Megawati Sukarnoputri, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), wants her daughter Puan to be named as its next presidential candidate

But President Joko Widodo’s influence has only grown since the last election, analysts say – and it looks like he wants Ganjar Pranowo to get the nod

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo pictured alongside Megawati Sukarnoputri (L) during a press conference in Jakarta in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:30am, 29 Jan 2023

Who will Indonesia’s ruling party choose as its presidential candidate for next year’s election?

Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri said at a 50th anniversary celebration on January 10 that it’s entirely her “business”. But President Joko Widodo may yet prove to be the kingmaker if he wields his growing political clout, analysts say – having already hinted at his preferred candidate.

Megawati, the daughter of Indonesia’s first president Sukarno and a former president herself, would ideally like to give her daughter Puan Maharani the nod, despite the younger woman repeatedly failing to garner much support in opinion polls.

It had been widely anticipated that the 76-year-old Megawati would use her two-hour speech at the January 10 meeting – attended by some 3,000 high-ranking party members including Widodo – to announce the party’s next presidential candidate. But instead, she offered a firm reminder.

Megawati Sukarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), speaks during the party’s 50th-year anniversary event in Jakarta on January 10. Photo: Bloomberg

“The matter of whom to nominate need not be thought about, it is the domain of the party chair,” she said. “It is my business!”