Hary Tanoe Talks Privately With Jokowi

Chairman of the Perindo Party Hary Tanoesoedibjo (right) together with Chairman of the Indonesian Tionghoa Clan Social Association (PSMTI) Wilianto Tanta in the Jakarta presidential palace environment Monday (15/5/2023) ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia

JAKARTA - General Chairman of the Perindo Party Hary Tanoesoedibjo said he had a chance to talk privately with President Joko Widodo after accompanying the Indonesian Tionghoa Clan Social Association (PSMTI) at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

"I had other business earlier with the President, just a moment (talked privately) after the PSMTI event earlier," said Hary Tanoe in the Jakarta Presidential Palace, reported by ANTARA, Monday, May 15.

Hary Tanoe admitted that he accompanied PSMTI Chairman Wilianto Tanta and other entrepreneurs to talk about PSMTI's support for President Jokowi's leadership.

However, Hary Tanoe denied the transfer of names of ministers from the Perindo Party to President Jokowi.

"It's not true, I don't give up anything. I just need to build the Perindo Party because building a party requires concentration and focus, so my job is to build a party so that it can become a big party," said Hary.

As for PSMTI, it is supportive of President Jokowi's development program.

"If PSMTI's stance supports what he has done and what is expected is continuity, it is implicitly like that, what he supports is definitely supported by PSMTI," continued Hary Tanoe.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate from Perindo has not yet been decided. "It's too early (about the presidential candidate), I have to talk to DPP friends, we will study it properly and then we will make a decision," said Hary.

He also opened communication with all other political parties.

"Later we will see how many are supported by any party, we will take a stand on one of them," added Hary Tanoe.

The name of Perindo's final presidential candidate will be announced in June 2023. "Hopefully it won't be later than June because this decision must be mature," said Hary.

Currently, there are three names of potential presidential candidates sticking out to take part in the 2024 General Election, namely the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo who was promoted by the PDI-Perjuangan and the United Development Party (PPP), former Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan who was declared by the Nasdem Party, Democratic Party and PKS.

Finally, there is the name of the Minister of Defense who is also the general chairman of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, who was proposed by the Gerindra Party, which is also in a coalition with the National Awakening Party (PKB).