Pakde Karwo, The Democratic Party And The Position Of Watimpres

JAKARTA - After President Joko Widodo installed the presidential consideration council (Wantimpres), one of its members, Soekarwo or Pakde Karwo, attracted public attention. This is because he is a former cadre of the Democratic Party who has resigned since August.

Although he is no longer a cadre of the Democrat Party, a number of circles consider this a symbol of the existence of the party led by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in government circles. Moreover, Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), did not join the government as minister.

"It could be like that. That's why the Democrat Party doesn't want to be in the opposition and prefers to stay in the middle and play it safe," said Ujang when contacted by VOI, Jakarta, Saturday, December 14.

According to Ujang, Jokowi is still doing accommodation politics. Although, in the world of politics this kind of thing is common. However, it was not recognized by the political party elites.

"It is still politics of giving away positions and it is still politics of reciprocation," he said.

"In the presidential election, even though the Democrats are in Prabowo-Sandi. But Soekarwo supports Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin," he added.

Democrat Deputy Secretary General Andi Arief said Soekarwo's move to become Vice President had already received SBY's blessing. In fact, he was allowed to leave the party to help Jokowi.

"Pakde Karwo is the main cadre of the Democrat Party. He has been summoned by the state. Because the rules cannot be concurrent between parties and wantimpres, it is not possible to allow the best cadres to relinquish their position as one of the regional democratic leaders," he said.

Karwo was once said to have resigned from his position as chairman of the East Java DPD in mid-August. At that time, he was said to have left the Democratic Party because he was elected as President Commissioner of PT Semen Indonesia Tbk.

"We hope that Pakde Karwo can do a good job of giving consideration to Pak Jokowi (Joko Widodo)," he said.

Puan reminded Pakde Karwo

DPR chairman Puan Maharani reminded the vice president who had just released his political party affiliations, including Soekarwo.

"I know that the Wantimpres cannot represent or take charge of the party. Moreover, at that time Pak Karwo was the chairman of the Democratic DPD in East Java," said Puan, yesterday.

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo appointed nine members of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) for the 2019-2024 period. Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Wiranto, was appointed as Chairman of the Wantimpres.

The inauguration was held at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday, December 13. The appointment of the nine Wantimpres members was based on Presidential Decree Number 137 of 2019 concerning Appointment of Membership in the Wantimpres for the 2019-2024 period.

They consist of elements from politicians, businessmen, former Ministers of the Working Cabinet, and religious figures. After reading the Presidential Decree, Jokowi guided the President's 'whispers' to take oaths of office under the holy book.

The following are the names of the nine members of the Wantimpres for the 2019-2024 period:

1. Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto

2. Member of the 2014-2019 Wantimpres, Sidarto Danusubroto

3. Senior Golkar Party politician Agung Laksono

4. President Commissioner of PT Mustika Ratu Putri Kuswisnu Wardhani

5. Owner of Medco Group Arifin Panigoro

6. Mayapada boss Dato Sri Tahir

7. Senior PPP politician Mardiono

8. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figure Maulana Al-Habib Muhammad Lutfi bin Ali bin Yahya alias Habib Lutfi

9. Former East Java Governor Soekarwo.