Meeting Surya Paloh, Jokowi Is Called Kepo Who Is Anies' Vice Presidential Candidate

The riddle about the candidate for vice president (cawapres) who accompanied Anies Baswedan as a candidate for president (candidate) from the NasDem Party turned out to not only make the public curious, but also President Joko Widodo.

This was conveyed by the Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh. Paloh said that during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta yesterday, Jokowi asked himself about who Anies' assistant in the 2024 presidential election would be.

"Pak Jokowi also asked who this vice president (Anies) is," Paloh said when met at NasDem Tower, Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, July 18.

To Jokowi, Paloh admitted that he did not know who the person who would be chosen as a vice presidential candidate would be to accompany Anies.

According to him, those who better understand the appropriateness of a person to become an Anies vice presidential candidate are the former Governor of DKI Jakarta for the 2017-2022 period itself.

"I said I haven't thought about it yet, I don't understand yet. Maybe Mr. Anies is the one who knows the most. Yes, that's roughly the case," said Paloh.

Paloh also rejected that one of the materials discussed by Jokowi with him was Paloh's innuendo about the idea of a Mental Revolution in the NasDem Change Alert Apple.

The Mental Revolution was Jokowi's movement during his tenure as President of the Republic of Indonesia. In the NasDem Alert Call on Sunday, July 16, Paloh said that the Mental Revolution has not become a reality until now.

However, Paloh said that there was no tension in the discussion between the two. In fact, Paloh admitted that the atmosphere was quite fluid and even Jokowi had joked, admitting that he was waiting for his controversial statements.

"There is (Jokowi's comment about his satire). 'I'm waiting, bro Surya is talking about this'. Hahaha. Yes, it's a family atmosphere, I have to be honest about that," Paloh said when met at NasDem Tower, Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, July 18.

According to him, such a family atmosphere must continue to be maintained, especially ahead of the 2024 General Election.

"I think this is a really good one. Because this is what we need. Our atmosphere facing the 2024 General Election, which is not too long in front of our eyes, what if we can all say the elite of this nation, there is an atmosphere to welcome it, not with tension, stiffness, especially in an atmosphere of sugarace., if we can bring it a little more relaxed, I think it's good," he explained.

Paloh also explained that he and Jokowi also discussed a cabinet reshuffle which reduced the number of ministerial rations from the NasDem Party.

Yesterday, Jokowi officially replaced the position of Minister of Communication and Information, previously held by former Secretary General of NasDem Johnny G. Plate by inaugurating Budi Arie, who was his volunteer.

However, Paloh also admitted that he was relieved. According to him, whoever is appointed as a minister is Jokowi's prerogative as head of state.

"I have repeatedly said that it is the president's prerogative. We are consistent in respecting it because it is actually true. This means that the President can determine, whether it's morning, afternoon, want to go afternoon, want to go ahead, continue to reshuffle, want to choose who, and that's holding the constitution, not making things up," said Paloh.