Dasco Bantah Not Invited Sandiaga To The Bappilu Gerindra Event

Daily Chairperson of the Gerindra Party DPP Sufmi Dasco Ahmad. (Nailin NS-VOI)

JAKARTA - The daily chairman of the Gerindra Party DPP, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, denied Sandiaga Uno's statement claiming he was not invited at the inauguration of the Election Winning Body (Bappilu) Office and the Gerindra Presidential Winning Body at the end of last week. According to Dasco, no official invitations were made for the Gerindra Presidential Winning Body. However, he said, all the administrators at the DPP were present at the event. "So Gerindra is not the same as other parties, especially for party core officials. That these activities, we inform you that they are not an official invitation," said Dasco at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, January 9. Dasco considered it natural if the statement was 'uninvited' was made by the chairman of the Gerindra DPC. However, the statement came out of the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees, all of which were of the core cadres present at the event. "If the chairman of the DPC or the Chair of the PAC 'I was not invited', that's normal. But this is it, yes, just look at yesterday everyone was present at the event. Except for Mr. Fadli Zon, the task of the state to go abroad is in the context of parliamentary diplomacy," he said. Even so, Dasco emphasized that he did not want to polemic the issue. According to him, let the public judge Sandiaga's attitude. "I don't want polemics in the media. But this, I think, is clear enough, let the people judge later," said Dasco. Previously, Sandiaga Uno admitted that he was not invited to the inauguration of the Bappilu Office and the Gerindra Party Presidential Winning Body in West Jakarta, Saturday, January 7. He also did not want the polemic about himself not attending the event to be extended. "If I am invited, I will come. In Yogyakarta, I will come, especially in Jakarta," Sandiaga told reporters after the Gathering of the 50th PPP Harlah Commemoration at Kridosono Stadium, Yogyakarta City, Sunday, January 8. This polemic arose after he was rumored to have joined PPP. Even Sandiaga is diligent in attending events held by PPP in the regions. Related to this, the Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Board of Trustees stated that he would soon meet with the General Chair of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto to explain the issue of him joining PPP. "I will 'tabayyun' first ask my friends to give me a chance for some time, for me to 'tabayyun'. Later I will also report it immediately, but later after 'bertabayyun' with him," said Sandiaga. According to him, the adab in contact with the leadership is to meet in person, not convey through the mass media. "We will ask for time immediately, but wait for his readiness," he said. Sandiaga emphasized that the plan to run for the 2024 presidential election through PPP depended on the blessing of the kiai. He said he must also meet the leadership of the Gerindra party. "This is the realm of party leaders, I 'turn' (follow) party leaders and kiai, 'peninisepuh' (older) and of course all of that must get blessing," he said. "I also have to respect the party leadership where I belongs now," said Sandi. Sandiaga hopes that he will still have a good relationship with the Gerindra Party and also Prabowo Subianto. "We must jointly maintain unity and harmony," he said.