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The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle had, at least according to advisory board chairman Taufik Kiemas, been mistaken in opposing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s government over the past five years and has now chosen to be more supportive.

“There’s no opposition under the presidential system. What we did in the past was wrong,” Taufik, chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), said in Jakarta on Thursday. “The situation is supposed to be in line with what we have now decided to do, to act as a strategic partner,” he said.

He said the PDI-P would now be a “constructive partner” with the government for the next five years, despite missing out on seats in Yudhoyono’s cabinet.

It remains to be seen whether these comments reflect the stance of the party as a whole, with Taufik’s wife, former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, still, by Taufik’s own admission, having the final say on the direction of the party, which swept the polls in the 1999 elections after the downfall of former President Suharto but has seen its popularity steadily decline since.

Despite Taufik’s urging, Megawati failed to attend Yudhoyono’s inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, the second time she has done so, ruling out any chance of cabinet seats.

Taufik said the party’s new stance was a softening of its previous position when it frequently criticized Yudhoyono’s administration but he reiterated that, “In the past we were wrong.”

He said he hoped the new cabinet could implement its 100-day program so that the cabinet would not have to be reshuffled. “It’s also wrong to change ministers often. So, I hope the new ministers can carry out their responsibilities well, because if everything runs smoothly, it’s the people who will benefit,” Taufik said.