Admitting It Is Difficult To Choose A Vice Presidential Candidate, Prabowo: Can We Change Only 4 Vice Presidents?

JAKARTA - Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto admitted that he had difficulty determining the figure of a vice presidential candidate in his coalition who would accompany him to run in the 2024 presidential election.

This was conveyed by Prabowo at the PAN 25th Anniversary event organized by PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan and also attended by Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto, UN Chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra and PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin).

"So it is true that our coalition has a big agenda. Gus, looking for a vice president is not light," said Prabowo at the Sultan Hotel, Central Jakarta, Monday, August 28.

While joking, Prabowo asked Yusril, who is an expert in the field of state administration, about the possibility that Indonesia may have many vice presidents because it is difficult to determine who the assistant is suitable for him.

"If I want to ask, Professor Yusril, can we change only four vice presidents? How about? There is vice president 1, vice president 2. In some countries there are, you know, that's because so many people are great," said Prabowo.

However, Prabowo said that the coalition of parties that support him as a presidential candidate will find an agreement regarding one of the most suitable figures to become a vice presidential candidate.

"I believe in what Mr. Zul Hasan said. (The determination of the vice presidential candidate), later we will carry out our traditions, the legacy of our ancestors, the cultural customs of our nation, namely deliberation and consensus," he said.

In addition, Prabowo also announced the new name of the coalition that will carry him as a presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

Previously, the coalition carrying Prabowo was named the Greater Indonesia Awakening Coalition (KKIR) consisting of the Gerindra Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Now, after the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the Crescent Star Party (PBB) joined their coalition, Prabowo said the party leaders agreed to change the name of the coalition.

"Earlier we, the general chairmen, even though for a short time, Mr. Zul, Mr. Airlangga, Gus Imin, and Professor Yusril. We agreed to our coalition, we will name the Forward Indonesia Coalition," explained Prabowo.

The name of the Forward Indonesia Coalition was previously used by the coalition that supported Joko Widodo and Ma'ruf Amin as presidential and vice presidential candidates in the 2019 election.

After Jokowi defeated Prabowo in the 2019 presidential election contestation and served as President for the 2019-2924 period, Jokowi brought this name in his cabinet, namely the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.