Gerindra Politician Demands Democrat Ejection from Coalition
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10 May 2019 21:17 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gerindra Party deputy chief Arief Puoyono has requested the ejection of the Democrat Party from the Prabowo coalition after the latter showed what he dubbed as a series of "support inconsistencies."
“It’s better for them to depart the ‘adil makmur’ [just and prosperous] coalition. Their party elites and chairman seem like insects (undur-undur), if they wish to leave the coalition then go ahead,” said Arief to journalists on Friday, May 10.
Arief went as far as to say that the presence of the Demorat Party did not contribute to the votes garnered by the Prabowo-Sandiaga ticket, but rather undermine the coalition's popularity.
He added the Prabowo camp invited the Democrat into the coalition "out of pity."
Read: AHY Meets Jokowi; Gerindra Confident Coalition Still 'Solid'
Arief’s aggressive comments are somewhat fueled by Democrat Party’s executive member and SBY’s son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono's meeting President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Merdeka Palace on May 2. Inside sources said Agus used the moment to offer his party’s programs.
Democrat Party officials constantly issued statements reminding people that they would stay in the Prabowo coalition until their contract ends. While the party’s legal team leader, Ferdinand Hutahaean, mentioned that they would only pull their support once the Jokowi-Ma'ruf ticket was announced the victor of the election.
DEWI NURITA
