Jokowi Camp Has Yet to Reveal Cabinet Posts for Gerindra

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Joko Widodo (Jokowi) - Ma'ruf Amin camp has yet to reveal the number of cabinet posts for the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, the spokesman of Gerindra's Chief Patron Prabowo Subianto, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, said.

"Until this time, neither Mr. Jokowi nor the Jokowi camp has hinted at the number of cabinet posts to be given to Mr. Prabowo and Gerindra. This matter has not been revealed," Simanjuntak told journalists in Jakarta Monday. On Friday, Prabowo had met with Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace during which they shared a common perspective on Indonesia's dire need for security and political stability.

These two figures, who both waged stiff campaigns during this year's presidential elections, emphasized the need for security and political stability for the sake of Indonesia's ongoing economic growth and development amid the global economic slowdown.

On Sunday evening, Prabowo also accepted the invitation of National Democratic (Nasdem) Party leader Surya Paloh to hold a meeting. Nasdem is one of the staunch members of the Jokowi-Amin camp's coalition parties.

From the onset, Prabowo had affirmed that Gerindra was ready to sit in the opposition or join the coalition of the Jokowi-Amin administration, Simanjuntak said.

"From the beginning, Mr. Prabowo has hinted that we are ready to become the government's critical partner or its internal partner," he said, adding that the final decision was up to Jokowi.

Prabowo himself had expressed his perspectives but Jokowi and his camp have yet to reveal how many posts Gerindra would receive, he said.

Gerindra itself would have revealed its final stance after its national meeting on October 15 and 16, 2019, Simanjuntak added.

During the meeting with Nasdem leader Surya Paloh Sunday evening, Prabowo reiterated that his party prioritizes Indonesia's national interests.

"I have repeatedly conveyed and reaffirmed that we prioritize our nation's interests. We support whatever that strengthens Indonesia and achieve our people's interests," he said.

Gerindra would be consistent in maintaining the integrity and interests of the nation and state. "Whether we stay inside or outside (the government), we work for the Red and White," he said.

ANTARA