Jokowi Eyes Better Democracy by Appointing Prabowo as Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo spoke up about his motives in granting a ministerial seat for Gerindra Chief Patron Prabowo Subianto.

“We want to build a democracy that upholds mutual cooperation. So I need to say that there is no term of opposition in Indonesia as exists in other countries,” said the President during a dialogue with the press at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, October 24.

He reiterated that he had no problem to hand out a ministerial post for the party who used to be rivals in the 2019 presidential election. “If that is a good move for the country, for our democracy, why not?” 

Moreover, the President went on, Indonesia’s presidential system was different than other countries, that only had two major parties. In this archipelago, many parties participated in the election despite the race only followed by two presidential candidates.

Additionally, Indonesia was still heading the process of state democracy. “I think these processes of democracy are still in progress, but I see it is leading to a better corridor,” he remarked.

Prabowo Subianto, who was Jokowi’s political rival in the 2014 election and the 2019 election, willingly joined the government coalition. The former commander of the special military forces (Kopassus) was recently inaugurated as the Defense Minister for the Indonesia Onward Cabinet.

FRISKI RIANA