Zulhas Gathers Elite PAN At His House, What About Jokowi's Ban On Breaking Fast Together?

Ketum PAN Zulkifli Hasan alias Zulhas. (Between)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) gathered a number of party elites as well as iftar together at his residence. In fact, long ago President Joko Widodo had banned Indonesian officials from breaking the fast together even though the COVID-19 case had begun to sag.

The iftar ceremony was revealed by the chairman of the PAN DPP, Saleh Partaonan Daulay. He confirmed that his party elite gathered at Zulhas' residence in the Cipinang Indah area, East Jakarta, Wednesday, April 6, evening.

It was said that the Sunrise Party's top brass gathered to discuss the cabinet reshuffle. It is known, PAN reportedly got a ministerial quota after joining the Jokowi government coalition.

However, Saleh denied last night's meeting to discuss the reshuffle issue. Saleh said, last night's meeting was because there was an iftar event for the factions and the DPP management.

"It was breaking the fast, there was no discussion about the cabinet. It was not mentioned at all," Saleh said during confirmation, Thursday, April 7.

If the event at Zulhas's house is an iftar event, it means that PAN did not comply with Jokowi's orders. Furthermore, the chairman of the PAN faction of the DPR revealed that the meeting only discussed PAN's preparations for the 2024 General Election. "The discussion was more focused on preparing for the 2024 election," he said.

All members of the DPR to DPRD from the PAN faction, continued Saleh, were asked to focus on helping the people in this month of Ramadan. "All members of the DPR are asked to revive the existing networks and volunteers," said the PAN legislator for the North Sumatran electoral district.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of PAN, Bima Arya, admitted that during a meeting of PAN elites last night, Zulhas spoke about strengthening PAN's position in government.

"The Ketum only confirms the political position of PAN as a supporter of the government," Bima told reporters, Thursday, April 7.

The issue of postponing the 2024 election was also discussed, said Bima. According to him, the matter of postponing the election will not be realized if there is no adequate support.

"And also the issue of postponing elections which will not materialize due to inadequate political support," he said.

As previously known, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) forbade ministers and other state administrators from holding iftar during the holy month of Ramadan this year. This prohibition remains in effect even though the COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve.

"For government officials and employees, we still forbid breaking the fast together," said Jokowi in a video description posted on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Wednesday, March 23.

In addition, Jokowi also banned government officials and employees from holding open house events during Eid.

"Also (forbidden to do, red) open house," said the president.

As for the public, Jokowi welcomes them if they want to perform the tarawih prayer in congregation at the mosque after two years there has always been a ban due to COVID-19.