NasDem Chairman Surya Paloh Affirms Support For Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin Government Until 2024

JAKARTA - Chairman of the DPP NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, reiterated that his party will continue to support the government of Joko Widodo and K.H. Ma'ruf Amin to completion in 2024.

"Even though NasDem has declared Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate, we will continue to support the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin government to the end," said Surya Paloh when giving a speech at the launch of the "NasDem Calling" program at NasDem Tower, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Monday, October 17.

Surya Paloh admitted that many parties questioned his party's commitment after declaring Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate.

However, his party has always been a party that supports all policies issued by the Jokowi government, including when the government decided to reduce fuel price subsidies (BBM).

"I jokingly said to Mr. Jokowi, 'Mr. President, we have seven factions in this government coalition, this is a policy to increase fuel prices, six factions do not agree, and only one faction (NasDem Party)' agrees on this, only the most stupid or loyalists faction can do this. Please translate," said Surya Paloh.

He emphasized that his party is not afraid to face slander and skewed issues.

"So if someone tempts us, there is a test of the NasDem Party's toughness, enthusiasm, and spirit of consistency, yes, that's fine, that's okay. We are who we are, but our good intentions are non-negotiable, that's us, our commitment," he said.

According to him, the journey ahead of the 2024 General Election is full of challenges. In fact, there are parties who have asked for their party to be removed from the coalition within the government after declaring Anies Baswedan.

There are three NasDem Party cadres who hold positions in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, namely the Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Johnny G. Plate, Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo, and Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya Bakar.

"There are those who state how stupid NasDem is in placing an unpopular presidential candidate because it is considered to carry ideas that are contrary to national commitments, they are diverse. However, brothers, we are NasDem. Once the sail is up, we will never go back," said Surya Paloh, who was greeted with applause from NasDem cadres.