Golkar Supports Prabowo 2 Terms, the Vice President is Up to Bahlil to Run

President Prabowo Subianto/PHOTO via Instagram @prabowo

JAKARTA - The Golkar Party expressed its support if President Prabowo Subianto wanted to continue his administration for two periods. However, Golkar left it entirely to the Chairman of the Gerindra Party regarding the name of his running mate.

Golkar Party Secretary General, M. Sarmuji, confirmed that his party would not encourage his party chairman, Bahlil Lahadalia, to run as a candidate for member of the Indonesian House of Representatives in the 2029 Pileg.

"Yes, we are assigned to the National Congress to succeed, support, secure, and escort the Prabowo-Gibran government, yes. To succeed, of course we have to work hard. And if successful, of course Mr. Prabowo will be loved by the Indonesian people. And if loved by the Indonesian people, then there is no other possibility other than Mr. Prabowo will support us to be the presidential candidate again," said Sarmuji at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, February 12.

"But at this stage we are trying hard to make Pak Prabowo loved by the Indonesian people by successfully implementing all of his programs," he continued.

"If there is someone from Golkar who wants to be encouraged? Yes, our general chairman wants to run, he has declared that he will be a candidate for 2029," added the Golkar DPR Faction Chairman.

When asked whether Golkar would propose the name Gibran Rakabuming Raka to return to be Prabowo's running mate, Sarmuji assessed that serious discussions about the 2029 presidential election were still far away. However, he said, if Prabowo wants to return to duet with Gibran, Golkar will try to win.

"Oh, it's still far, it's still far. Yes, if Mr. Prabowo, Mr. Gibran is successful, then he wants to join hands again or what, yes we will think about it, fight to the maximum," said Sarmuji.

"But yes, Mr. Prabowo, the key is, Mr. Prabowo as President must be successful. And that is Golkar's responsibility to realize Mr. Prabowo's success in carrying out his vision and mission," he continued.

Sarmuji emphasized that the name of the vice president was waiting for Prabowo's decision, including the criteria for the candidate.

"Yes, later we will definitely be this, later there will be speak-speak, right. There is a speak-speak, it's up to Mr. Prabowo," he concluded.