TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Prabowo Subianto, the Gerindra Party chief patron, received a visit from a delegation led by the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Salim Segaf Al-Jufri, at his residence in Kertanegara, South Jakarta, on Friday, October 11, 2024. During the meeting, he highlighted the advantages of cooperation among political parties for the sake of the people.

“This cooperation is the most beneficial for the people,” the President-elect affirmed on Friday.

The meeting between Prabowo and the PKS delegation lasted for over an hour. Prabowo was accompanied by his party's officials, including Gerindra Secretary-General, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, and two Vice Chairmen, Budisatrio Djiwandono and Sugiono. 

Salim Segaf was accompanied by several individuals, including PKS Secretary-General Aboe Bakar Al-Habsyi and Chair Ahmad Heryawan.

During the meeting, Prabowo reminisced about his party's relationship with PKS. The 2024-2029 President-elect, who will be inaugurated on October 20, noted that Gerindra initiated its political cooperation with PKS during the 2014 presidential election. However, the two parties found themselves on opposing sides in the race. “Despite our differing choices in the past, we have no issues, we remain friends,” Prabowo remarked.

In the February election, PKS, as part of the Change Coalition, endorsed Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar as presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively. On the other hand, Prabowo, paired with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was supported by the Indonesia Advanced Coalition, comprising the Gerindra Party, Golkar Party, Democratic Party, National Mandate Party (PAN), Crescent Star Party (PBB), Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), and Gelora Party.

Following the victory of the Prabowo-Gibran coalition in the election, several rival political parties expressed their support for Prabowo's upcoming government. In addition to PKS, two other members of the Change Coalition, the NasDem Party and the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), joined Prabowo's government.

Currently, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has not officially joined Prabowo's government. However, the party led by Megawati Soekarnoputri has shown positive signs towards Prabowo. Prabowo and Megawati were scheduled to meet next Monday.

Prabowo emphasized his desire for smooth cooperation among political parties. The Defense Minister believes that politics in Indonesia should always be conducted with mutual respect. “Once the competition is over, let's foster cooperation,” he stated.

This perspective led Prabowo to appreciate PKS's willingness to collaborate with his future government. He also mentioned that Gerindra had frequently communicated with PKS to discuss coalition plans for the Prabowo-Gibran government in the upcoming five years.

“At this time, we deem it necessary to clarify to the public our determination to collaborate and work diligently for the nation and the people,” Prabowo concluded.

NOVALI PANJI NUGROHO

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