Supporting Political Parties Anies Chooses The Name Of The Coalition For Change For Unity, But Not Yet Declaration, The Reason?

Bacappres Anies Baswedan on the sidelines of his visit to Surabaya. (Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The NasDem Party, Democratic Party, and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have officially formed a Coalition for Amendments to Unity (KPP) announced at the Change Secretariat, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Friday, March 24, afternoon. This coalition carries the former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate in 2024.

The name of the Coalition for Change and Unity (KPP) was announced by a small team filled with representatives of the three political parties. They also explained the reasons behind the name selection as well as the reason for the absence of a coalition declaration by the general chairmen (ketum).

Deputy Chairman of the PKS Syuro Council Sohibul Iman explained that the KPP name was chosen because of the agreement the results of the discussion of the small NasDem team, Democrats, and PKS. According to him, his party is committed that the formation of the coalition axis aims to bring about changes in the framework of unity, even though there was an option for other names from his party.

"It develops from the results of our discussion in the small team with the presidential candidate (Anies Baswedan) as well. If this 'change' changes for what, yes, this is a change for, yes, unity," said Sohibul at the Change Secretariat, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Friday, March 24.

"So because our ultimate is how we change to a better one, but in the framework, we remain united. There is also input, 'The Coalition for Change for Welfare'. Yes from PKS too, 'For Justice'," he continued.

Then, he continued, there were also proposals for other names that also came from the Democrats. The party chaired by Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) proposed the name of the Coalition for Change to be added to the word 'peace'.

"From the Democrats, 'The Coalition for Change' is if I'm not mistaken there is a 'peace'. Or 'better' if I'm not mistaken," he said.

Although the official name of the coalition is the Coalition for Change for Unity (KPP), said Sohibul, his party welcomes the public to continue to call it the Coalition for Change.

"So we also continue to invite if the public wants to use this as 'The Coalition for Change', go ahead. But officially there is (for Unity)," he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the NasDem Party DPP Willy Aditya said that the reason for the announcement of the formation of the Change Coalition for Unity (KPP) had not been immediately declared. According to him, the moment of the declaration will be used as a big event by at the same time announcing the coalition, presidential candidates, and 2024 vice presidential candidates.

In addition to still looking for Anies' companion figure, Willy said, KPP is also waiting for additional new members before the declaration. Currently, he said, the three parties are exploring communication with other political parties.

"We have opened communication with many parties. Earlier, why haven't we determined when there will be a big declaration, it's hoped that other parties can join," said Willy at the same location.

Willy said that other political parties that did not reach an agreement in their coalition could join the KPP to win Anies Baswedan together in the 2024 presidential election.

"The intensity of communication is the ice breaker for the formation of a much larger coalition," said Willy.

The agreement in the charter taken in Jakarta on February 14, 2023 contains six points.

First, the NasDem Party, Democratic Party, and PKS have united their determination, goals, and struggle steps by forming a Coalition for Change for Unity (KPP).

Second, the three parties have reached an agreement to unanimously determine Anies Rasyid Baswedan as a presidential candidate for 2025-2029.

Third, give a full mandate to Anies Rasyid Baswedan, to elect a vice presidential candidate and form a pair that can win the 2024 election.

Fourth, in the not too distant future KPP will hold a declaration and announce the pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates in 2024-2029.

Fifth, presidential candidates are given the flexibility to communicate in order to build cooperation with parties that now have seats in parliament to ultimately expand their political support base.

Sixth, to implement the KPP decision, a Secretariat was formed which is a continuation of the Change Coalition Preparation Team for Unity (Small Team).

"That is six points in the charter signed by three party general chairmen," added Secretary General of the Democratic Party Teuku Rifky Harsya.