Bahlil's Response To Joining Golkar, Fahri Hamzah Says Only Humor

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Gelora Party Fahri Hamzah responded to the statement by the General Chairperson of the Golkar Party, Bahlil Lahadalia, who said he would join a party bearing the banyan symbol.

This statement was conveyed by Bahlil in his remarks before President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the inauguration of the copper smelter and the purification of PT Amman Mineral International precious metal in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, on Monday, September 23.

Fahri views Bahlil's words as just a joke in front of Jokowi. Fahri said Bahlil had a high sense of humor.

"You have to start to get to know Pak Bahlil well. He is a future leader from the east. He has a high sense of humor," Fahri said with a smiling emoticon when confirmed, Monday, September 23.

Previously, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that the Deputy Chairperson of the Gelora Party Fahri Hamzah planned to join the Golkar Party.

During the inauguration of the smelter in NTB, Bahlil initially greeted the figures present, including President Joko Widodo. Bahlil also greeted the Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir and a number of local figures from NTB.

The chairman of Golkar then gave special attention to Fahri Hamzah who came from Sumbawa.

"Especially for national figures from NTB, Mr. Fahri Hamzah," Bahlil said, quoted by the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Monday. "Mr. Fahri now plans to join the Golkar Party, we have negotiated," said Bahlil.