This Does Not Mean That The Support Of Gerindra Presidential Candidates, The Moment Prabowo Driver Jokowi Is Considered Limited To The Government's Hierarchy

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto HIGHLIGHTed President Jokowi to try out a tactical vehicle that was just named 'Maung' when it was displayed at the Ministry of Defense on January 18. (doc Setkab)

JAKARTA - A political observer from Al Azhar University Indonesia, Andriadi Achmad, assessed that the familiar moment of the Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto accompanied President Joko Widodo when he boarded a 'Maung' military tactical vehicle was normal. Given the hierarchy between the two in different governments.

"As subordinates and presidents, of course Jokowi must be close to all cabinet ranks without exception in the context of realizing work programs," Andriadi told VOI, Thursday, January 19.

Therefore, according to him, yesterday's familiar moment of trying out rantis cannot be said to be Jokowi's support for Prabowo who is also the General Chair of the Gerindra Party in his candidacy as a presidential candidate in 2024.

"In my opinion, the intense closeness between Jokowi and Prabowo in recent times has not been more in the framework, including testing maung at the Ministry of Defense, not showing support for Prabowo's candidacy in the upcoming 2024 presidential election," said the Executive Director of the Nusantara Institute PolCom SRC. In addition, said Andriadi, Jokowi was also seen close to the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo as one of the alternative presidential candidates for PDIP with quite high popularity and electability. Although until now, PDIP has not decided on a presidential candidate who will compete in the 2024 presidential election.

"But I suggest that as president Jokowi should not be too vulgar in supporting one of the presidential candidates who has sprung up. Except when his position as a PDIP cadre supports the presidential candidate appointed by the PDIP chairman Megawati," he said.

The warm moment between Prabowo and Jokowi while trying out the rantis made by Pindad was also commented on by the Chairman of the Honorary Council of the Gerindra Party, Habiburokhman.

Habiburokhman was amazed that the two of them looked compact even though they had fought each other in the 2019 presidential election.

"It was really cool when Mr. Prabowo was driving President Jokowi on Maung. After a tight contest of two elections, it turns out that at this time he is both very compact working hard for the nation and state," he said, Thursday, January 19.

Habiburokhman assessed that the interests of the nation and state could unite Prabowo and Jokowi even though they had been rivals. According to him, as ministers and presidents, both of them also understand each other.

"Pak Jokowi succeeded in leading the country to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Prabowo was successful at his work at the Ministry of Defense. He both respected each other and understood each other," said Habiburokhman.