It's Not About Power, The Secretary General Of NasDem Reveals The Reason Why Surya Paloh Is Often Visited By Other Political Party Presidents

Chairman of the NasDem Party Surya Paloh (left) and PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu (right) give a press statement after holding a meeting at the Nasdem Party DPP, Jakarta, Wednesday, June 22. PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh/VOI

JAKARTA - Chairman of the NasDem Party Surya Paloh held a meeting with PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu. The elite of the NasDem Party is also scheduled to receive a visit from the Chairman of the Democratic General Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) tomorrow.

AHY's visit to NasDem is a follow-up meeting after previously Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) came directly to meet Surya Paloh.

Long before PKS and Democrats visited the NasDem DPP office, the General Chair of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto and the General Chair of the Gerindra Party, had already met Surya Paloh.

All of them are said to have discussed the possibility of a coalition for the 2024 presidential election with the party chaired by Surya Paloh. In fact, according to the latest survey by Kompas Research and Development, the electability of the NasDem Party is only 4.1 percent.

The series of meetings seemed to show that Surya Paloh was like a magnet for other political parties. So, why are the head of political parties willing to visit the NasDem headquarters? How powerful is Surya Paloh?

In response to this question, the Secretary General of NasDem, Johnny G Plate, revealed that there are a number of reasons why the Ketum of political parties often come to Surya Paloh.

First, Surya Paloh does not run for the 2024 presidential election. Second, Surya Paloh acts as an adhesive who does not like to spark conflict.

"There is an important factor that the Ketum NasDem (other parties visited), he did not nominate a presidential and vice presidential candidate, not even a member of the cabinet. His non-conflict position became the glue so that discussions were more fair and open and frank," said Johnny G Plate at NasDem Tower, Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, June 22.

NasDem Party general chairman Surya Paloh (left) and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto (right) give a press statement after holding a meeting at the Nasdem Party DPP, Jakarta, Wednesday, June 1. PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh/VOI

Even so, said the Minister of Communication and Informatics, until now Surya Paloh has consistently been a neutral figure. So Johnny considered it natural that Surya Paloh was visited more often by political party officials.

"Moreover, the platform that was built in the development of NasDem is always consistent and never changes," he said.

In addition, Johnny said that NasDem and Surya Paloh also have good track records. For example, when he participated in winning Jokowi-Ma'ruf in 2019.

"Although Bang Surya, together with SBY, had prepared candidates for national leaders long before that. Likewise, in 2019 together with PDIP and coalition partners, they also succeeded in winning Pak Jokowi and Kiai Ma'ruf as president," he explained.

Chairman of the NasDem Party Surya Paloh (right) together with the General Chairperson of the Golkar Party (left) give a press statement after holding a meeting at the Nasdem Party DPP, Jakarta, Thursday, March 10. PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh/VOI

According to Johnny, Surya Paloh's experience was the same as discussing and becoming the glue for the figures to present the best future leaders for Indonesia.

"These experiences can be input in discussions in order to produce a head of government or president of Indonesia in the next period with extraordinary challenges," added Johnny.