Airlangga Calls KIB Inclusive, Any Party May Join, Including Non-Parliament

Inauguration of the United Indonesia Coalition, which marks the collaboration between the Golkar Party, PAN, and PPP to welcome the 2024 General Election. (Special)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, emphasized that the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) is inclusive. Both Golkar, PAN, and PPP are open to any party that wants to join, including non-parliamentary parties.

"Everything is included. So both parliament and non-parliament are open, because they are inclusive," said Airlangga in Jakarta, Monday, June 13.

When asked about the presidential candidate that KIB wanted to carry, Airlangga admitted that he did not want to discuss it. He said, in due course, KIB will definitely announce the pair of candidates it will fight for in the 2024 presidential election. "That has not been discussed (the promotion of the presidential candidate). It will be discussed at a later time," he said.

Airlangga added, KIB has targets to be achieved both in the short and long term. The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs said that the short-term target that KIB wants to do is provide input related to the ongoing development program that will be carried out for the government.

"In the long term, Indonesia's challenge is the middle income trap, so a program must be made for how Indonesia can escape the middle income trap," said Airlangga.

The chairman of Golkar also stated that his party is ready to work with whoever President Joko Widodo will appoint in the event of a cabinet reshuffle.

"With everything ready. Outside the cabinet ready. Ready (inside the cabinet) to work with all cabinet (members)," said Airlangga.

Golkar emphasized that a cabinet reshuffle is the prerogative of the President. However, Airlangga admitted that there were no leaks about the cabinet reshuffle that would be carried out by President Jokowi.

"Ask the President," said Airlangga.

Rumors circulated that a number of political elites predicted that President Joko Widodo would make a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, June 15. The KIB member party, PAN, is said to have a strong chance to enter the cabinet.

PAN has even been invited and introduced to the cabinet in August 2021. To date, PAN, which has declared joining the government, has not yet received a position in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.