The president said Golkar must be guarded, and no new breakaway parties should be formed from Golkar
Jakarta (ANTARA) - House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo held a meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the presidential palace, here, on Monday, to discuss national issues.

Soesatyo revealed that the discussion between him and the president covered the need to accelerate deliberations on several bills at the Parliament, as legislators would be ending their 2014-2019 term in the next few months. Hence, the government's cooperation was necessitated to conclude deliberations on the bills.

"The president said Golkar must be guarded, and no new breakaway parties should be formed from Golkar. No more new ones should be born. Golkar must remain united and be strengthened. Embrace all existing powers within the party," Soesatyo emphasized.

Soesatyo, a senior Golkar politician, recalled Jokowi also urging Golkar to embrace retired military and police officers as well as ulemas, Islamic scholars, again.

Golkar will hold a national congress in December to elect a new chairman. Soesatyo and Airlangga Hartarto, the current Golkar chairman and industry minister, are among the candidates for the next chairman's post.

Soesatyo confirmed that Jokowi had not mentioned whom he will support to be the next chairman of Golkar.

Related news: Jokowi hints at immediate leadership succession: Golkar

Golkar is an important member of a political party coalition supporting the Jokowi administration.

During the 2014 presidential election, Golkar had extended support to Prabowo Subianto, but it later decided to join the Jokowi administration's coalition. During the 2019 presidential election, Golkar had supported Jokowi.

Related news: Golkar lets Jokowi decide on cabinet line-up
Related news: President to receive general chairman of Golkar Party DPD

Translator: Desca L Natalia, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019