PDIP Declares Itself as Government Supporting Party

Semarang, Central Java (Antara) - The Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) officially declared itself as a government party at a national working meeting here Friday. The change in the party's political stance was personally announced by Megawati Soekarnoputri, the party's general chairperson. "Now, PDIP is in the government. We have successfully placed our best cadre as president of the Republic of Indonesia. Joko Widodo, you must always remember that you are head of the government and head of state for all people of Indonesia," she said in her speech at the opening of the meeting. PDIP would not only support Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla as vice president-elect but would also take an active part, Megawati said. "The vision that Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla would realize is also part of our struggle namely Indonesia's sovereignty in politics, self-sufficiency in economy and integrity in culture," she said. "In view of that, the mental reform and political mentality of all party cadres must be changed from formerly being outside the government to now be the government and in the government," she said. She said the change in the party's stance required a change in mentality of cadres from balancing power outside the government to be part of the government. PDIP will now be tested as a party in the government, a responsibility which is not easy to take, she said. (*) reporting by monalisa