IO, Jakarta – Soon after President Joko Widodo stated that the composition for the 2019-2024 cabinet has been finalized, the National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional – “PAN”) quickly declared their stance of standing outside of the Cabinet, through its General Chairman, Zulkifli Hasan. He made the statement on leaving PAN’s 21st Anniversary Celebration held under the Pejagalan Toll Road, Pluit, North Jakarta, on Friday (23/08/2019).
On this occasion, Zulkifli requested that everyone should quickly unite and stop getting into unnecessary conflicts, as they are counter-productive to the development of our nation. Despite having stated that PAN will be outside the Cabinet, Zulkifli stated that it does not matter, as being inside and outside the Government makes no difference. “There is no more difference of political options, because the President has already been elected. We must not get carried away by emotions again,” he said.
PAN firmly declared that it would support Jokowi-Amin’s rule in the next five years from outside the Cabinet, i.e. that they will not request any ministerial position from the President. “The Indonesian nation should reunite. Let’s just save our fighting for 2024; let’s not fight every day – it’s exhausting. So now let’s celebrate Mr. Jokowi’s success and support him,” Zulkifli said. “As for who the Cabinet Ministers to be appointed, it is the President’s prerogative. Insya Allah (by the Grace of Allah) we fought as a challenger, how can we ask for any position to be reserved for us? That’s embarrassing. But other parties can do as they like.”
Furthermore, Zulkifli stated that Indonesia will be facing a lot of challenges in the future. “One of the challenges we face now is the heated situation in Papua last week, due to racist statements made against Papuan students studying in East Java,” he said. Furthermore, we are also facing economic issues due to the trade wars between the United States and China.
Amien Rais, the Chairman of PAN’s Honorary Counsil, stated that he was relieved when PAN declared its stance. “It is all clear and a relief,” he said. Amien further stated that PAN’s contribution and support of the Government are not limited to populist policies – it will continue to provide all necessary inputs and criticism. PAN will provide corrections in case the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Government deviates from the straight path. “Insya Allah we will provide all of these as an expression of our support.” (Dan)