Before meeting Prabowo, the politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) first met with Prabowo's brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who is a businessman.

Hashim and Budiman were not previously acquainted. Budiman explained that a former member of President Joko Widodo's campaign team introduced him to the owner of Arsari Group. "Mr. Hashim facilitated my meeting with Mr. Prabowo," Budiman said.

During the discussion with Hashim, Budiman Sudjatmiko coordinated the visitation time with Prabowo, who is also the Minister of Defense.

Meeting with Prabowo

Budiman met Prabowo at his parents' house on Jalan Kertanegara, South Jakarta. The event lasted for almost an hour. They had a one-on-one conversation after briefly chatting with several Gerindra executives.

Some of Prabowo's colleagues in Gerindra mentioned that the former son-in-law of President Soeharto had requested to meet with Megawati several times.

However, Megawati has not responded to those invitations yet. On the other hand, Prabowo expressed his readiness to meet with his former running mate in the 2009 presidential election. "It's good if all leaders meet," Prabowo said.

Not the first time meeting Prabowo

Andre Rosiade, a member of Gerindra's Advisory Board who was present at the gathering in Kertanegara, confirmed the content of the meeting. He stated that Budiman praised Prabowo's leadership and considered the retired lieutenant general capable of leading Indonesia after the 2024 General Election. "Prabowo appreciated Budiman's visit," he added.

This is not the first time Budiman Sudjatmiko has met with Prabowo. One year ago, Prabowo received Budiman at the Ministry of Defense. They discussed the modernization program of the main weapon systems currently being carried out by Prabowo.

In 2002, Budiman also met Prabowo together with Nezar Patria, his colleague from the Democratic People's Party (PRD) who now serves as the Deputy Minister of Communication and Information.

Budiman recalled that he questioned Prabowo about the kidnapping cases of students before the 1998 Reform. "The activists I took have all been released," Budiman quoted Prabowo's response at that time.

Reporting to PDIP

In response to the turbulence within his party, Budiman revealed that he had met with the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto.

He also informed the results of his meeting with Prabowo to Bambang Wuryanto, the Secretary of the PDIP faction, over the phone. Both party officials questioned the background of his visit to Prabowo's house.

Budiman's political maneuver also caused ripples among his colleagues in the PRD. The message box on Petrus Hariyanto's social media account, who served as the Secretary-General of PRD from 1996 to 2002, was flooded with messages questioning Budiman's decision to meet Prabowo. They viewed Prabowo as still being part of the New Order regime that suppressed several PRD activists, including Budiman.