IO – The confirmation that Simultaneous Regional Elections will be held in December 2020 has a number of political parties scrambling for consolidation. Last week, the General Chairman of Democrat Party Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono visited the General Chairman of Functional Groups (Golongan Karya – “Golkar”) Party Airlangga Hartarto. Now, it is Airlangga’s turn to go meet the General Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerakan Indonesia Raya – “Gerindra”) Party Prabowo Subianto. The latter met up at Prabowo’s Private premises in Jalan Kertanegara IV, South Jakarta, on Monday (06/07/2020) for about an hour. In the meeting, Prabowo was accompanied by Gerindra’s General Secretary Ahmad Muzani and General Vice Chairmen Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Sugiono. Airlangga was accompanied by Azis Syamsuddin, Nurul Arifin, Meutya Hafidz, Kahar Muzakkir, and Adies Kadier.
After having hosted his counterpart in Golkar Party, Prabowo stated that the meeting was one between two friends and two political parties – between the two national parties, Golkar and Gerindra. These two parties work together in the Government coalition for the Indonesia Onwards Cabinet of President Joko Widodo’s administration. “We discussed issues relating to nationalism, strategic relations, and future possible cooperation between us during Regional Elections,” he said.
Prabowo further stated that Gerindra and Golkar agree to form a coalition for the December 2020 Simultaneous Regional Elections in some regions, and not in others. “There is no problem with that, because this is Indonesia’s democracy and it is filled with the spirit of brotherhood. Competitions and differences are common occurrences, but in the end, we are all committed to the integrity of the nation and the interests of the State. We want an active and dynamic but peaceful democracy,” he said.
Multiple Similarities
Continuing, Airlangga stated that the meeting was a return visit to the one recently made by Gerindra’s General Chairman to the Central Leadership Council (Dewan Pimpinan Pusat – “DPP”) of the Golkar Party. “We are very happy to visit Mr. Prabowo’s Private premises in such a brotherly ambience. Both Golkar and Gerindra are in the Government to support the Indonesia Onward Cabinet. Naturally, under the circumstance of COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we maintain political stability. This is done by maintaining good relations between Government parties,” he said.
Airlangga stated that he exchanged numerous strategic ideas with Gerindra’s General Chairman and staff that afternoon, relating to geo-political and Regional Election issues. The two parties share similarities and differences in the Regional Elections. “As Mr. Prabowo has said, differences in Regional Elections are normal and natural. One thing for sure – we agree that we will support each other and maintain our friendship, maintain NKRI integrity and fight for its development. That’s more similarities than differences,” he said.
Airlangga further stated that his party will continue to maintain communications and relations with all other political parties, including Gerindra. “We actually communicate informally quite a bit in the Cabinet. However, this time it is about maintaining good relations between the Golkar Faction and the Gerindra Faction,” he said. (Dan)