Jusuf Kalla-SBY 'Going Down The Mountain,' UIN Observer Says Not Just Talking About The Nation But Anies' Opportunity In The Presidential Election

Political observer Adi Prayitno (right). PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh/VOI

JAKARTA - Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) held a meeting with the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, Thursday, June 23. The two are said to have exchanged ideas about the future of the nation.

Political observers from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Adi Prayitno assessed that their meeting was not limited to the romance of old friends. However, to discuss the 2024 presidential election map, SBY and JK are willing to meet face to face.

"I'm trying to translate, because if it's limited to meeting old romantic friends, I think in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's better to go by zoom or by phone. Even sitting between Mr. JK and Mr. SBY far away to avoid COVID-19," said Adi when met in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Friday, June 24.

According to the Executive Director of the Indonesian Political Paramater, JK and SBY talked about the candidacy of DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. Because JK is Anies' mentor in politics.

"I suspect that because the conversation is not by phone, it will definitely talk about 2024, so face to face. We remember exactly when we saw Anies, it was JK's face. Because JK is Anies' main mentor," he explained.

Adi said that the discussion about the direction of the 2024 presidential election coalition as well as the world of national politics began to heat up because the two national figures had started to descend the mountain. Moreover, there are no incumbents in the upcoming presidential election contestation.

"This is going down the mountain because in 2024 the battle will be flat, there is no candidate who then wins significantly and there is no incumbent. This can actually interpret that the SBY and JK meeting went down the mountain as an effort in 2024. They can be a coalition and of course to win in 2024," he explained.

"Whatever the title, SBY and JK have worked together and won the presidential election. Now these are the two king makers who I think have come down the mountain and they can translate this for the benefit of 2024," he added.

Adi added that although JK is a Golkar politician, the two vice presidents are senior figures who are accepted anywhere. So, according to him, there is no problem if JK supports Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate.

"There is no (gap). From the beginning, JK when he was paired with SBY, his position was also in Golkar, even though Golkar at that time supported Prabowo. So Mr. JK is a flexible senior politician and can go anywhere beyond the boundaries of Golkar's political stance, "concluded Adi.