Jokowi's Relief Regarding Golkar's Unrest

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in his speech at the opening of the National Conference of the Golkar Party had mentioned the rivalry of Airlangga Hartarto and Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet). Jokowi joked about the easing of tensions within Golkar after Bamsoet stepped down.

As previously reported, Airlangga Hartarto's rival, Bamsoet, officially resigned from the candidate market for Golkar chairman. Not only Bamsoet, Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa also officially resigned. This means that there are only three candidates left who are still continuing the fight.

"I just entered the door of this room, the air looks cool, cool. I'm sure even though the air conditioner is turned off we will still be cool. Because Mr. Airlangga has already conveyed it, I would like to once again express a high appreciation for the coolness earlier," joked Jokowi at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 3.

Jokowi then reminded Golkar cadres not to have bad prejudice. Then, he touched on the issue that the Palace was suspected of intervening. Jokowi firmly denied this.

"Nothing. I guarantee there is no. If someone says, the Minister of State Secretary gives no guarantee. Nothing. There really isn't. He said he collected the DPD. Which DPD was collected?" he said.

As if trying to break the ice, Jokowi then invited DPD members to participate in National Conference X who were gathered by State Secretary Pratikno to come forward.

"If there is, I will go forward and give me a bicycle. As soon as there is a voice I immediately ask the State Secretary, is that right?" said Jokowi greeted by laughter from Golkar cadres.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta said that if a minister calls the DPD it should be a minister who is also a Golkar cadre. "It could be Mr. Agus or Mr. Zainudin Amali. Mr. Jerry could or Mr. Luhut. These are all Golkar cadres. But if someone is outside, please come here. Going forward, I will give you a bicycle," he said. Jokowi.

Jokowi cannot hide his happiness. This can be seen clearly from the eyes and also the smile that always adorned his face when he was about to continue his speech.

"I am very happy that the Golkar National Conference looks very good at showing good brotherhood. Good harmony. So I would like to once again invite all of us to applaud Mr. Bambang Soesatyo," he said.

Seeing Bamsoet standing when his name was mentioned, Jokowi again threw a joke at the MPR Chair. As a state official, Jokowi really likes to give out bicycles. However, he was reluctant to give it to Bamsoet.

"For Pak Bambang, don't give him a bicycle. He is the owner of the first number one Tesla in Indonesia. What did I give him a bicycle for. If I was given a Tesla by Pak Bambang Soesatyo, that's right. But don't get into gratification," he said, greeted by laughter from all the guests. Bamsoet invitations are no exception.

Bamsoet's legowo attitude

Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto in his opening speech praised the attitude of his strong rival, Bambang Soesatyo, who resigned from the nomination process for the general chairman of the Golkar Party.

"What we are proud of is the Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, Mas Bambang Soesatyo. Thank you, Mas Bambang Soesatyo, to open this National Conference to be cool and calm," said Airlangga.

Not only that, Airlangga also praised Bamsoet as the best cadre belonging to the Golkar Party. Through a meeting facilitated by a senior party figure, Bamsoet withdrew from the Golkar Party's prospective chairperson for the sake of party solidity and integrity.

"I want the highest appreciation this afternoon we have met and he withdrew from the candidacy for general chairman," he said.

According to Airlangga, Bamsoet returned to its joint commitment to promote party unity and solidity. This is needed as a party supporting the government.

"I appreciate this decision, a concrete example of the maturity of the Golkar Party, which reflects democracy," he explained.

For your information, this event was attended by President Joko Widodo who arrived accompanied by Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto. Followed by the Chairperson of PDIP Megawati Soekarno Putri and Secretary General Hasto Kristianto as well as the general chairman of the coalition party.

Also attending were several ranks of advanced Indonesian cabinet ministers. Among them are Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir and Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto.