TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Over the past few weeks, rumors of a rift between President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have emerged. For example, the president and VP backed two different tickets in recent Jakarta election.
Another instance includes Kalla who nominated Anies Baswedan for Jakarta governor unbeknownst to Jokowi. The former had dismissed the rumor, claiming that he did not intervene in the nomination. The statement, however, failed to dampen the rumors.
As the rumors swirl around, Jokowi and Kalla showed their closeness at the Bogor Palace. They shared jokes before entering a meeting room yesterday, May 22.
Cabinet Secretary Promono Anung said that they have a good relationship. “The relationship between President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla is very good, there is no problem. The perceived [rift] is completely wrong,” Pramono said.
Pramono also claimed that both have a strong relationship and nothing can divide the two.
ISTMAN M.P.
