TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gerindra Party Communication Board member, Andre Rosiade, said his party never hated President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. He mentioned a situation when his party chairman Prabowo Subianto was defeated in the 2014 Presidential Election.
Prabowo has a good relationship with Jokowi, Andre asserted. When Jokowi failed to inaugurate Budi Gunawan as the Chief of National Police, he was in uncertainty and the supporting parties were ‘sulky’ which impacted to the signing of 2015 State Budget.
“Pak Prabowo then visited Bogor Presidential Palace, gave [Jokowi] a motivation and suggestion so Jokowi was brave enough to inaugurate Badrodin Haiti. There are a lot of cases that show we never create hate narratives,” he said.
However, Andre added, the recent polarization was due to Jokowi’s leadership. He compared Jokowi’s term with the ten-year governance of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) which he deemed peaceful in the midst of diversity.
“Since Pak Jokowi with his plaid clothes leads Indonesia, the country starts being classified,” Andrea said.
He further touched on Jokowi statement in his supporters (Pro Jokowi) event at Sentul International Convention Centre, Bogor, West Java, Saturday, August 4 which he deemed provocative.
According to Andre, Jokowi as the president should encourage the public to maintain peace and safety ahead of presidential race next year. The election should be a festival of ideas competition, not muscle.
“But Pak Jokowi creates hate narratives by calling [his supporters] to not afraid to fight [physically]. It indicates that Pak Jokowi encourages violence in the 2019 election,” Andre said.
RYAN DWIKY ANGGRIAWAN
