TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla or JK stated that the support of Tuan Guru Bajang (TGB) Zainul Majdi to President Joko Widodo or Jokowi in the 2019 presidential election has a good impact for Jokowi as the incumbent candidate.
“That means adding support,” said JK at JS Luwansa Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 10.
TGB previously confirmed that he supports Jokowi in the 2019 presidential election. The former governor of NTB said Jokowi deserved and worthy to continue the two periods of his leadership to complete the unfinished work.
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TGB says his support is purely based on the performance of Jokowi's administration over the past four years. He denied any political deal had motivated him expressing his support for Jokowi.
He considered that Jokowi has paid special attention for the eastern region of Indonesia, such as infrastructure development which is not limited to consider the benefits to the national economy.
“Pak Jokowi's approach in eastern Indonesia is not just about economic calculation, or benefit to the national economy, but also to build togetherness,” he said.
TGB is known as a Democratic Party politician. Until now, the party led by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY has yet to decide to whether support the 2019 presidential election or not.
Jusuf Kalla said that TGB's step in supporting the presidential candidate from a non-coalition party is normal in politics. “Politics can change, interests don’t,” JK said.
VINDRY FLORENTIN
