Prabowo Represents Jokowi Closes Presidential Cup, Gerindra Responds To Endorsement Issues For The 2024 Presidential Election

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto representing President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the closing ceremony of the 2022 Presidential Cup badminton championship.

This moment was then linked to the issue of Jokowi 'endorsing' or supporting figures who are rumored to be competing in the 2024 presidential election. Is this a signal for Jokowi to support Prabowo?

In response to this, the Gerindra Party considers Prabowo to be merely carrying out the duties of the president.

"His name is also presidential assistant, right, Pak Prabowo does what the President asks. Then he is asked to represent badminton, he just does it," said Gerindra Daily Chair Sufmi Dasco Ahmad to reporters, Tuesday, August 9.

Dasco admitted that he did not know if there was a special Prabowo in Jokowi's eyes. According to him, the presence of representing Jokowi is just carrying out his duties.

"I don't know about the specific issue. Is it special in the eyes of Pak Jokowi or is it because, yes, he was only asked to represent badminton," he said.

Dasco emphasized that Gerindra did not think about whether or not there was an endorsement signal from Jokowi to the general chairman.

"I didn't think about whether it was a code or what, but yes, the task must be carried out," he said.

According to the Deputy Speaker of the DPR, there is nothing to argue about if Prabowo is appointed to represent Jokowi at sporting events. Because according to Dasco, Prabowo is also the general chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI).

"Indeed, the field is sports, but don't forget, Pak Prabowo is also the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association, sports too. So, there is no problem if then Pak Prabowo is asked to represent the badminton championship," said Dasco.

As is known, the moment Prabowo Subianto represented Jokowi was uploaded on his official Instagram account. In the picture, Prabowo can be seen taking pictures with the athletes who lifted the championship trophy.

"Representing President Joko Widodo on the agenda for the closing of the 2022 Presidential Cup badminton championship," Prabowo wrote as seen on Tuesday, August 9.