The Red Ant Coalition Is Called Difficult To Unite, MCC: Before The Janur Curves, Anything Can Still Happen

Secretary General of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi (Nailin/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Red Ants Coalition formed by the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) was greeted with pessimism by the public. The reason is, many think that PKB and PKS are like water and oil which are difficult to unite because of ideological differences.

In response to this, PKS Secretary General Habib Aboe Bakar Al Habsyi said that all coalition processes were still in the process of being explored. He likens building a coalition to finding a mate.

"This is common in politics. In other words, before there is a curved leaf, anything can still happen," Habib Aboe told reporters, Tuesday, June 14.

The member of Commission III of the DPR PKS Faction emphasized that building a coalition is not easy because there must be chemistry between parties. In addition, said Aboe, a coalition must also meet the presidential threshold (PT) of 20 percent.

Therefore, Aboe said PKS and PKB must find one more friend in the coalition. "As a medium-sized party, this is a challenge for us, because PKB-PKS alone is not enough, we have to find another partner," he said.

Then when the coalition of three political parties has been built, Aboe added, it is also necessary to build chemistry with the presidential and vice presidential candidates.

"Of course this still takes time, so that communication and assessment can be done better," he concluded.

Previously, PKB Deputy General Chair (Waketum) Jazilul Fawaid admitted that many internal parties did not want a coalition with PKS. However, he emphasized, PKB and PKS are no different in ideology.

"Actually, PKB is based on a nationalist-Islamic basis, PKS is an Islamic-nationalist, it's just like that. It doesn't make any difference," Jazilul told reporters, Tuesday, June 14.

The Deputy Chairperson of the MPR admitted that many gave input so that PKB would not join PKS in one coalition. But according to him, PKB wants to find friends, not enemies in politics.

"Frankly, in PKB, many also gave me input, 'Ma'am, not with PKS', yes, we accept that as input, but this politics is looking for friends, not looking for enemies. If PKS wants to be friends, why do we reject it, "said Jazilul.

Jazilul then explained the meaning of the naming of the Red Ant Coalition. According to him, PKB and PKS are two small parties that are expected to give hope to the community.

"If I say ants because they are small, we will try them. But to give hope to the community, one identity politics is lost, it cannot be mutually exclusive," he explained.