Mr Prabowo suggests that Mr Jokowi not be doubtful in making a decision. If he (Jokowi) believes that whatever he decides will be good, please take it. If he deems it necessary that we stay outside the government, we are ready for thatJakarta (ANTARA) - Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party Chief Patron Prabowo Subianto suggested President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to not be doubtful in deciding on his cabinet lineup since Gerindra is ready to stay within or outside the government.
Gerindra Secretary General Ahmad Muzani quoted Prabowo as saying that Gerindra was ready if Jokowi viewed that it would be better if it were to stay outside the government. Hence, Jokowi need not be doubtful in deciding matters concerning his cabinet lineup.
In conversation with journalists before the convening of Gerindra's national meeting on Wednesday, Muzani remarked that all matters concerning the cabinet lineup are the prerogative rights of Jokowi, as the president-elect.
"Mr Prabowo suggests that Mr Jokowi not be doubtful in making a decision. If he (Jokowi) believes that whatever he decides will be good, please take it. If he deems it necessary that we stay outside the government, we are ready for that," he stated.
Subianto has never expressed his intent to join the coalition parties of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin administration. Gerindra's final political stance will be decided after the party's national meeting, Muzani stated.
Related news: Subianto to reveal Gerindra's stance on Oct 17
Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, spokesman of Gerindra's Chief Patron Prabowo Subianto, earlier stated that the Jokowi-Amin camp had yet to reveal the number of cabinet posts for the Gerindra Party.
"Until this time, neither Mr Jokowi nor the Jokowi camp has hinted at the number of cabinet posts to be given to Mr Prabowo and Gerindra. This matter has not been revealed," Simanjuntak informed journalists in Jakarta on Oct 14.
On Oct 11, Prabowo had met with Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace during which they shared a common perspective on Indonesia's dire need for security and political stability.
These two figures, who both waged stiff campaigns during this year's presidential elections, emphasized the need for security and political stability for the sake of Indonesia's ongoing economic growth and development amid the global economic slowdown.
Related news: National interests top Gerindra's list of priorities: Prabowo
On Oct 13, Prabowo had also accepted the invitation of National Democratic (Nasdem) Party leader Surya Paloh to hold a meeting. Nasdem is one of the staunch members of the Jokowi-Amin camp's coalition parties.
From the onset, Prabowo had affirmed that Gerindra was ready to either sit in the opposition or join the coalition of the Jokowi-Amin administration, Simanjuntak stated.
"From the start, Mr Prabowo has hinted that we are ready to become the government's critical partner or its internal partner," he remarked, adding that the final decision was up to Jokowi.
Prabowo had echoed his perspective, but Jokowi and his camp had yet to reveal how many posts Gerindra would receive, he stated.
Gerindra would have revealed its final stance after its national meeting on October 15-16, 2019, Simanjuntak noted. Related news: Gerindra's national meeting attracts two thousand elite attendees
Related news: Jokowi yet to reveal cabinet posts for GerindraRelated news: Jokowi, Prabowo mull over Gerindra joining government coalition
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Abdu Faisal, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
