Answering The Prabowo-Ganjar Duet, Gerindra Admits It Has An Ideological Similarity With PDIP

Candidate Ganjar with Presidential Candidate Prabowo (Ist)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, Habiburrokhman, answered about the discourse of the Prabowo Subianto-Ganjar Pranowo duet as a pair of presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2024 presidential election. He assessed that Gerindra and PDIP have ideological similarities and political views for the continuity of the current government. "On the one hand, we certainly respect the PDIP of the big party, we have ideological similarities. Then politically, we also have a common attitude that we both view the current government achievements as very good and must be continued," said Habiburrokhman at the DPR building, Friday, September 22. However, Gerindra and PDIP already have their respective presidential candidates. So of course there will be a long debate about who is the presidential candidate and who is the vice presidential candidate.

"But technically, we nominated Mr. Prabowo as a presidential candidate, it was the party's official decision and is now supported by several political parties. Pak Ganjar is also like that, appointed by the PDIP as a presidential candidate," explained the deputy chairman of Commission III of the DPR. Therefore, Habiburrokhman said that his party would not force itself to pair Prabowo and Ganjar in one coalition.

"So if we can finally compete, the match is in the spirit of brotherhood, because the frequency is the same. It's only a matter that we have both been nominated and that has been the official decision of each party," he explained. "That's what I haven't thought of. We haven't thought about how to solve it yet," said Habiburrokhman. Previously, Prabowo Subianto's candidate for the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) would have no objection if it was paired with the candidate for PDI Perjuangan presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 presidential election. According to him, if it was a mandate from the people then he would not mind pairing up with Ganjar as president and vice president. "Whatever the mandate is given by the people, we respect it. The best for the people," Prabowo said at JCC, Thursday, September 21, evening.

Prabowo said the Indonesian people wanted their leaders to be harmonious and peaceful. So that as long as it is good for unity, the Gerindra chairman has no problem collaborating with his political rivals. "What we want is always unity, harmony. Whatever happens we have to get along well, it must be cool," said Prabowo.