Prabowo to Announce Political Stance before Jokowi's Inauguration

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gerindra chief patron Prabowo Subianto is set to deliver his political stance on whether the party will act as the opposition or join the government. Prabowo’s spokesman Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said it will be announced during the party’s upcoming national meeting.

Dahnil detailed the meeting is scheduled to take place at Prabowo’s residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java. “It is set on October 17,” said Dahnil at Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, October 8.

If there is no change, the political stance will be declared three days before the inauguration ceremony of the president and vice president-elect, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Ma’ruf Amin, which is slated on October 20.

According to Dahnil, Prabowo will take a final decision after collecting suggestions from the party’s regional boards and leaders.

“Whether we will be an opposition, which is on my term a critical partner, or an internal partner, an opposition from inside the government,” said Dahnil.

Gerindra party’s political stance has taken the public spotlight. Compared to other non-coalition parties, many deem Gerindra will join the government coalition.

Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani previously claimed there were people in President Jokowi’s circle who enticed his side to take side with the government. However, Ahmad said the party was still considering several things, including whether the concept of energy, food, and water self-sufficient they proposed would be accepted by Jokowi’s camp.

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