TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party chairman Prabowo Subianto expressed gratitude to a number of religious leaders, namely Islamic Defender Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Syihab and National Movement to Safeguard Indonesian Ulema Council’s Edicts (GNPF MUI) chairman Bachtiar Nasir.
According to Prabowo, ulemas played important roles in the victory of Jakarta Gubernatorial candidate number three Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno.
“We won’t forget this. Ulemas are sometimes are more courageous than politicians,” Prabowo said at the Gerindra Party Central Executive Board’s office in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
Prabowo viewed that ulemas are often targeted with treason allegations, despite the fact that they are fighting for justice.
“I believe that defending justice and the people is not treason,” Prabowo asserted.
Prabowo also expressed gratitude to a number of Christian figures, since he believes that priests and pastors who support Anies and Sandi represent Indonesian people.
Prabowo expressed his gratitude in a speech following Anies and Sandi’s victory in the 2017 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election. Based on quick count results released by pollsters, Anies and Sandi gained more votes than incumbent candidate Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok and Djarot Saiful Hidayat.
FRISKI RIANA