TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani said the party’s chief patron, Prabowo Subianto, was slightly disappointed at the former's failing to grab the speaker seat of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the 2019-2024 term. Muzani said that it was against the efforts of reconciliation after the 2019 presidential election.

“[Prabowo] is a bit disappointed because [they said they would establish] reunification, reconciliation but when we merely ask for the seat of the MPR speaker, no one agrees. That is more or less what happened,” said Muzani at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday, October 7.

During the MPR speaker election on Thursday, Oct. 3, Muzani was beaten by the candidate proposed by the Golkar Party, Bambang Soesatyo. Bambang was also backed by eight factions of the House and Regional Legislative Council (DPD), including parties that previously supported Prabowo in the previous presidential election, viz. PAN, PKS, and the Democrat.

Gerindra initially said it would continue to fight for the seat even up till voting. However, after the meeting with PDIP chair Megawati Soekarnoputri, the party withdrew from the candidacy and declared support for Bambang on Thursday night.

The party’s attitude on the MPR speaker seat was linked to a promise of other positions in Jokowi's cabinet. However, Muzani balked at commenting about the issue.

"I don't know but I have jumped into the conclusion that it can be related or not. But for sure, I obey whatever his [Prabowo Subianto] decision is," Ahmad Muzani concluded.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI