TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In opening an internal Gerindra Party meeting in Hambalang, Bogor, Chairman Prabowo Subianto recalled the story of Abraham Lincoln and William H. Seward, two former political oppositions-turned-allies in the history of the United States.

According to Sandiaga Uno - who was present in the meeting, Prabowo’s story matches Gerindra's current position that is faced with an option to join President Jokowi’s coalition parties or remain as oppositions.

“Abraham Lincoln throughout his life fought with Seward, a senior figure,” Sandiaga recalled Prabowo’s story in the meeting.

Sandi, as Uno is often called, said that Prabowo told the story of Abraham’s intention to meet with Seward at the parliamentary congress but was met with Seward’s refusal and had even made slanders against Lincoln. However, after Abraham Lincoln was elected president, he offered his arch-nemesis William Seward a position as the U.S. secretary of state.

According to Sandiaga Uno, Prabowo’s story in the meeting underlined the similarity between the two U.S. figures. Despite the hatred against each other, Prabowo said Lincoln and Seward had one thing in common, which is their deep love for their country and that Lincoln needed a person close to him that would not blindly agree with any of his policies.

A few days ago, Gerindra Party was rumored to be eyeing on a position within Jokowi’s Cabinet as Defense Minister. However, this was strictly denied by the party’s deputy chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI