TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The deputy secretary general of the Great Indonesia Movement Party [Gerindra], Andre Rosiade, said his party was finalizing political ties and deals with the Prosperous Justice Party [PKS] to support Prabowo Subianto in the 2019 presidential race.

“God willing, PKS will be solid with Gerindra” Andre told Tempo on Friday, April 20, 2018.

Andre said PKS’ move was a gesture of support towards Gerindra chief patron Prabowo Subianto’s presidential bid in 2019. The declaration to support Prabowo took place on April 11 at Padepokan Garudayaksa, Bukit Hambalang, Bogor regency, West Java, during Gerindra’s National Coordination Meeting.

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Representatives of both parties met Tuesday at Meradelima restaurant in Jakarta for further talks on cementing the coalition. Attending the meeting were PKS sec-gen Mustafa Kamal, Gerindra sec-gen Ahmad Muzani, and deputy chairman of Gerindra consultative board-cum-Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno.

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Andre said Sandiaga was designated to spearhead a Gerindra team to wrap up the planned ties before the General Elections Commission [KPU]’s opened its registration.

Andre said both parties had set a deadline prior to the registration of presidential and vice presidential hopefuls at the KPU on August 4-10, 2018. “There will be a declaration of support before [we] go to the KPU.”

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH