IO, Jakarta – The Democratic Party has until now not decided whether or not to join the Jokowi-Ma’ruf administration. The party’s political direction moving forward will be decided on September 9, which coincides with the party’s anniversary.
Democrat Party Deputy Chairperson Syarief Hasan asked that all be patient in waiting for the Party’s decision. As the upper house of the Democratic Party are just about to hold a meeting. “This is being processed, still temporarily scheduled,” said Syarief on Monday (12/8/2019).
Syarief added that if the Democrat Party members stated they would join the government, that was a personal opinion.
Democratic Party Central Board Head Dede Yusuf added that the Democratic Party was still feeling out the current political atmosphere. According to him, it was not impossible that the Democrats would remain as a check and balance without being on the outside or inside such as in the 2014 presidential elections. The Democratic Party was still continuing to examine the current political dynamics.
The House of Representative (DPR) members stated that the Democratic Party would always prioritize unity. This was the reason the party decided to remain as a counterweight during the 2014 president elections. The political direction of the Democratic Party moving forward would be announced on September 9, the same day as the party’s anniversary.
Gerindra Party Deputy Chairperson Fadli Zon believes that every political party would take a position inside the current administration or outside as part of the opposition. “That is normal in a democracy. Certainly, it depends on each party and we must respect wherever that position is,” said Fadli in the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (14/8/2019).
According to him, every party had their own political calculations. It was normal if the Democratic party joined the government. “I believe every political party certainly has their own political views,” he added.
He also stated that the Gerindra Party’s attitude towards the future is up to Gerindra General Chairman, Prabowo Subianto. “We have given a mandate to him to decide Gerindra’s attitude, whether to be inside the government or outside the government. That will be announced when it is time,” he added.
Meanwhile, Golkar Party Central Board Head Ace Hasan Syadzily happily received the news that the Democratic Party would join Joko Widodo (Jokowi)-Ma’ruf Amin’s administration. He believes the more support the government has the better the impact it will have on the people.
Ace stated that it was correct that if the Democratic Party cozied up with the administration that it was part of a spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation in building the Indonesian nation.
However, on the topic of political appointments and the position of the Democratic Party in the government, Ace stated that the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin coalition would have to discuss the matter first. (eka)