After Many Cadres Left PAN, Rhoma Irama, Who Was Close, Is Now Far Away And Closer To Golkar

Rhoma Irama and Airlangga Hartarto

JAKARTA - Political observer Robi Nurhadi said the rejoining of the legendary dancer Rhoma Irama to the Golkar Party is proof that Airlangga Hartarto is a unifying leader.

As is known, Rhoma and the Idaman Party were close to the 2019 National Mandate Party.

"This marks the achievement of the General Chair of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto as a unifying leader," he said, in Jakarta, Tuesday, April 26.

According to him, Ramadan 1443 H was a blessing for the Golkar Party with the return of Rhoma Irama to this party. According to him, it is not easy for a public figure to enter the party or return to the party. "During Airlangga Hartarto, several public figures who had the potential to become big vote-gatherers returned to Golkar. Before Rhoma Irama, there was Yuddy Chrisnandi who had been the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform and the Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine. Not to mention other figures in regions throughout Indonesia," he said.

Robi explained that the "Turn Back To Golkar" phenomenon could bring Airlangga Hartarto's leadership profile closer to that of Akbar Tandjung, who was able to defend Golkar in the midst of political pressure that almost brought down Golkar at the beginning of the Reformation. The motto "United for Progress" was very popular during Akbar Tandjung's time.

"If the return of Rhoma Irama is followed by other figures, then the era of Airlangga Hartarto's leadership can be known as the "Turn Back To Golkar Era" with two meanings, namely the return of mature political figures and the return of Golkar as the winner of the election," he said.

Robi assesses the potential for returning to the Golkar party is great because the public can already assess the capacity of the existing parties, whether the main winning party, the middle board party, or the profile of the opposition party.

As is well known, the General Chair of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, confirmed that Rhoma Irama had returned to the Golkar Party.

“Our senior, Kiai Haji Rhoma Irama, is a Golkar cadre. Had to move here and there before finally returning to the Golkar Party," said Airlangga.