Maharani made the statement after serving as a keynote speaker at the National Seminar on "Human and Cultural Politics" at Diponegoro University, Semarang, Central Java, on Friday, while responding to the BIN chief being present at two crucial meetings of Indonesian political leaders.
Gunawan -- usually called BG -- was believed to be instrumental in the meeting between President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and General Chairman of the Gerindra Party Prabowo Subianto and a meeting between General Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Megawati Soekarnoputri and Prabowo recently.
Jokowi and Prabowo Subianto contested the 2019 Election with their respective partners, KH Ma'ruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno.
Maharani was also present and sat together at the dining table when the Soekarnoputri-Prabowo Subianto meeting took place at the former's residence on Jalan Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, a few days ago. Gunawan was also Soekarnoputri's aide when this politician became president to replace Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).
"Pak Gunawan, as the BIN head, plays a separate role of that of quiet work," Maharani remarked. If Gunawan is called a unifying figure, she considers this to be seen in the future.
Maharani believes that the nation will benefit if people can become unifying figures.
It was earlier reported that the Welfare Justice Party (PKS )'s politician Abubakar Alhabsyi had called the retired police general as the actor behind the meeting between Soekarnoputri and Prabowo Subianto for lunch, with the menu featuring fried rice.
"I laud Mr Budi Gunawan for preparing the meeting beautifully and executing it just as beautifully. It is very rare that a person like Pak (Mr) Budi Gunawan can bring together two figures having different views," Alhabsyi noted.
Translator: Immanuel/Eliswan Azly
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
