Busy Finishing National Strategic Programs, Ngabalin Denies Jokowi 'Bekingi' The United Indonesia Coalition

Ali Muchtar Ngabalin suggested the South Jakarta MKGR to help people who have difficulty finding cooking oil. (VOI Photo)

JAKARTA - The Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin, denied that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was behind the formation of the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB).

Ngabalin emphasized that Jokowi did not back the coalition initiated by the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the United Development Party (PPP).

"There is no (backing)," said Ngabalin to reporters, Monday, May 23.

Instead, said Ngabalin, President Jokowi is currently concentrating and focusing on fixing unfinished problems. Especially, the COVID-19 pandemic and national strategic agendas.

"The president's work concentration remains on the completion of national strategic programs in the last two years," he stressed.

According to Ngabalin, the general chairmen of political parties have the authority to explore coalitions. Especially the chairman of the Golkar Party, PPP, and PAN.

"That the general chairmen of the party then play their roles in the way and technically they do, it's okay that political parties have the authority," he said.

Previously, political communication observer Hendri Satrio questioned whether the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the United Development Party (PPP) received 'directions' from the palace to form the United Indonesia Coalition.

The founder of KedaiKOPI said the question was quite reasonable because Golkar, PAN, and PPP are coalition parties that support the Jokowi-Maruf Amin government.

"The big question is, is there any direction from the palace? Because all three political parties are the government coalition. One is on the brink, the other has just been left by a central figure, the other one is not clear where to go," said Hendri in the Trijaya Polemic 'Kasak Kusuk Party Coalition and Presidential Candidate 2024', Saturday, May 14.