Jokowi Responds To Prabowo Subianto's Electability To Increase When He Becomes His Minister: Not Because Of Me

President Jokowi and Zulkifli Hasan (Photo: DOK PAN/VOI)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo commented on the assumption that the increasing electability of Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto as a presidential candidate for the 2024 General Election after serving as Minister of Defense. This assumption was previously expressed by PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan. Zulhas views Prabowo's electability as increasing because he often accompanies Jokowi on various working visits as President. But, according to Jokowi, Prabowo's increase in electability was not due to him. This was revealed by Jokowi when giving a speech at the Ramadan Gathering at the PAN DPP Office, South Jakarta, which was also attended by Prabowo. "This was mentioned earlier about Pak Prabowo's increase in electability. I thought that his increase in electability was not because of me. No, yes, because he and Gerindra himself," said Jokowi, Sunday, April 2. Moreover, according to Jokowi, he often invites Prabowo to the regions because Prabowo asked him himself. Meanwhile, Jokowi continued, Zulkifli never asked to be invited to accompany him on the President's working visit. So, while joking, Jokowi caught that this was Zulkifli's signal as Minister of Trade who also wanted to be invited to the President's work activities. "I just thought, maybe Mr. Zul asked to be invited, that's it. Yes, tomorrow week, three times with me. Not tomorrow, tomorrow month," said Jokowi, greeted by laughter from Zulkifli, Prabowo, and other attendees. "If Mr. Zul is invited, then the others should also be invited. Even though the effect doesn't exist, it's because he's the one who has increased electability," Jokowi continued. For information, Jokowi attended the agenda of Ramadan gathering at the PAN DPP Office this afternoon. Jokowi wore a white long-sleeved shirt and black cap. A number of political party elites who attended included Plt Chairman of PPP Mardiono, General Chairperson of Gerindra Prabowo Subianto, Chairman of PKB Muhaimin Iskandar, and Chairman of the Golkar Party Airlangga Hartato. In his remarks, Zulkifli Hasan alluded to Prabowo's rising electability. According to Zulkifli, Prabowo's electability increased thanks to Jokowi who often invited him to work.

"If Pak Prabowo and Pak Jokowi harvest rice, the survey will increase, sir. Yes, that's right, sir. So, if you join, the aura is rising, we will be carried away, sir," said Zulkifli.