Opposition Party Gerindra to Join Jokowi's Coalition Confirmed
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21 October 2019 08:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Jokowi’s volunteer group dubbed the “Jokowi Mania” revealed that long-standing opposition party Gerindra will be joining the government in power following the presidential inauguration on Sunday.
This was revealed by Jokowi Mania’s chairman, Immanuel Ebenezer, following his meeting with the president on Sunday evening at the Merdeka Palace.
“It was [confirmed]. The President asserts that Gerindra has joined the coalition,” said Immanuel.
The volunteer group’s chairman said that he respects the president’s decision but at the same time could not hide his disappointment due to the fact that members of the group he leads often clash with volunteers from Gerindra.
“But this is already the decision taken by the president, and we will not dwell in disappointment,” said Immanuel.
According to him, President Jokowi said that Gerindra is the only non-coalition party to join his upcoming cabinet. Meanwhile, other non-coalition parties such as the Democrat Party, National Mandate Party (PAN), and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) remains to be opposition parties.
He claimed this is due to create balance in democracy from Jokowi’s side, even though he said that most opposition parties have shown interest in joining the government.
AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI