There is no reason for NasDem to resign except (if) it is removed. What is NasDem's reason? NasDem considers this government good.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairperson of the National Democratic (NasDem) Party Surya Paloh has played down calls for the party’s resignation from the ruling government coalition after officially nominating former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to run for president in 2024.

"There is no reason for NasDem to resign except (if) it is removed. What is NasDem's reason? NasDem considers this government good," he told the press after attending a national get-together with professors from several universities at Ballroom NasDem Tower in Jakarta on Saturday.

The government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has shown signs of continued success from time to time although they still have a few things to improve, Paloh said.

Therefore, NasDem will remain a part of the government coalition and work to help President Widodo leave a good legacy at the end of his term, he added.

"Our expectation is that at the end of President Jokowi's term, which is two years away, he will bequeath a far meaningful thing as legacy. That is what NasDem has to struggle for," he said.

He further urged NasDem cadres not to respond to calls for the party’s resignation from the government coalition or any other comments that have the potential to make the national political situation inconducive.

"What does NasDem expect is that the situation remains calm and the coalition (members) mutually respect and increasingly become solid. So, I think NasDem cadres need not respond to comments which will likely make the situation inconducive," he said.

NasDem officially nominated Baswedan for the 2024 presidential race before he ended his term of office as Jakarta governor on October 16, 2022.

Following a long journey and contemplation, the NasDem Party finally decided to support Baswedan as a presidential candidate, Paloh said while announcing the name of the party's presidential candidate at the NasDem Tower Ballroom in Jakarta early this month.

"This is why NasDem finally looks at the figure of Anies Rasyid Baswedan. We have shared similar faith and thoughts in both macro and micro perspectives," he remarked.

According to Paloh, Baswedan is one of the best candidates.

"Why Anies Baswedan? The answer is why not the best," he said.

Related news: NasDem nominates Anies Baswedan for 2024 Presidential race
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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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