When Prabowo-Cak Imin Remain Solid Despite Being 'Tempted' By Puan Maharani

Chairperson of the PDIP DPP Puan Maharani and PKB General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin at TMP Kalibata, Sunday 25 September. (Doc PKB)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the PKB Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin with the Chairperson of the DPP PIDP Puan Maharani looked warm during a pilgrimage together at TMP Kalibata, South Jakarta, Sunday, September 25. Even so, PKB emphasized that the meeting was not accompanied by a political agreement.

"The meetings are more familial, pilgrimage and tahlil together, eating pecel together and cutting birthday cakes. It's still limited to friendship, there is no official point regarding the decision to form a coalition," said PKB deputy head Jazilul Fawaid, Sunday, September 25.

Jazilul understands that the decision for political cooperation with the PDIP is of course in the hands of the General Chair, Megawati Soekarnoputri. The same applies to the determination of the vice presidential candidate promoted by the PDIP.

It is similar to PKB. Jazilul conveyed that the decisions of the presidential and vice presidential candidates carried by PKB must also go through discussions with the General Chair of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto as a coalition partner.

"PKB has committed to Gerindra that the mandate of the presidential and vice presidential candidates is in the hands of Gus Muhaimin and Mr. Prabowo. As a result, everything is still dynamic and takes time," he said.

Cak Imin and Puan visited TMP Kalibata on a joint pilgrimage to Taufiq Kiemas' grave. During her time together, Puan prayed for Cak Imin to become a vice presidential candidate.

The prayer was reciprocated with Cak Imin's hope that Puan could become a presidential candidate. However, when asked about the opportunity to become Puan's vice presidential candidate, Cak Imin was reluctant to respond.

Cak Imin explained that he would first communicate with Prabowo Subianto about the possibility of a duet as Puan's running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

"Yes, I'll ask Mr. Prabowo first," said Cak Imin, who was greeted by laughter from the PDIP and PKB pilgrimage groups at TMP Kalibata, Jakarta, Sunday, September 25.

Cak Imin also emphasized that the road to the 2024 presidential election is still long. Thus, it can be tested what kind of candidate pairs are ideal.

"There is still a long way to go. Prabowo-Cak Imin, Puan-Muhaimin will be tested later," said Cak Imin.

Prabowo-Puan Coalition Idea

On the one hand, Gerindra has also shown its loyalty first by stating that if there is a chance for a coalition, the duet between Prabowo and Puan in the 2024 presidential election will be discussed first with Cak Imin.

The possibility of the duo emerged when Puan visited Prabowo's residence in Hambalang, Babakan Madang, Bogor, West Java, Sunday, September 4.

PDI-P DPP chairman Puan Maharani visits the residence of Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, Sunday, September 4. (Spc)

Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, Ferry Juliantono, revealed the contents of Puan's meeting with Prabowo. According to him, the togetherness of the officials of the two parties has not yet discussed the coalition.

Ferry emphasized that if Puan and Prabowo's talks had led to a coalition agreement, Gerindra would definitely discuss it with PKB. As is known, Gerindra and PKB have declared a coalition in the 2024 presidential election.

Including the discourse on the Prabowo-Puan duet, Ferry said, the opportunity is open but at this time there has been no discussion that leads to it. Even if there was a conversation, Ferry emphasized that it would be conveyed to Cak Imin first.

"Not yet. (Prabowo-Puan) It's open, but we have to respect the agreement with Mr. Muhaimin, who was already in the coalition. Of course, later if there are additional coalition friends, we have to sit together until the decision-making process on who the cawapres is," concluded Ferry.