TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Mandate Party (PAN) honorary chairman Amien Rais claimed he did not mind about the joining of Gerindra Chief Patron Prabowo Subianto to Indonesia Onward Cabinet. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo appointed his rival in the 2019 presidential election as Defense Minister.

“If he [Prabowo] does not carry out goals he had promised, [I’ll] warn him,” said Amien at Karangkajen Grand Mosque, Yogyakarta, Sunday, October 27.

During his sermon, Amien recalled that Prabowo met him after the ministerial inauguration. Several figures accompanied the minister were Prabowo’s former campaign team head Djoko Santoso, Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani, and Gerindra deputy head Edhy Prabowo who also joined Jokowi’s second-term cabinet as Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Minister.

Prabowo revealed to him reasons for accepting the offer. "Pak Amien, I accepted the offer to become Jokowi's minister as to not being carried away," said the PAN founder, imitating Prabowo's words.

“Then I tapped his shoulder, ‘Alright then, bismillah. But I will always monitor you’,” Amien remarked, adding that he would support the former general as long as the latter stays on the corridor.

“If you are on the right path, I will support, otherwise, what can I do?” he told Prabowo.

Amien Rais further demanded the public not prejudice Prabowo’s joining in Jokowi’s cabinet. He understood that Prabowo Subianto might have different views from his supporters at the grassroots level.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO