Jokowi Criticized For Invited Coalition Political Parties To The Palace, PPP: As Far As It Doesn't Violate The Law, It's OK

Chairman of the DPP United Development Party (PPP) Achmad Baidowi. BETWEEN

Chairman of the PPP DPP Achmad Baidowi assessed that President Joko Widodo's move to invite the general chairman of the coalition political party supporting the government at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, last week was allowed as long as no law was violated. This was conveyed in response to the assumption that President Jokowi's invitation to the six general chairmen of the political parties was a form of political chaos. "The meeting was held at night, outside of working hours, as long as no laws were violated, it's okay," said Awiek, his nickname, in a statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, May 8. Awiek explained that the meeting between President Jokowi and the general chairmen of the coalition coalition supporting the government at that time discussed more about economic issues, in addition to political issues, including demographic bonuses, middle income traps, to Indonesia Emas 2045. "If someone then grazes the political issue, it can't be avoided, it's just a meeting of the chairman of the political party," he added. The PPP DPP spokesman said that a similar meeting between President Jokowi and six general chairmen of the government-supporting coalition political parties at the Merdeka Palace had occurred in the era of leadership before President Jokowi at this time. “ In the era before Jokowi also happened, although in different contexts. Just to remind, Mrs. Megawati had time to end her position in 2004 and move forward again for the next period, she would certainly take care of her next candidacy,” he said. Regarding the statements of the 10th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia and Jusuf Kalla (JK) who asked President Jokowi not to get too far involved in political affairs in the 2024 General Election, he said he respected the figure of a former senior figure in the political and organizational fields. Awiek alluded to the position of former chairman of the Golkar Party who had been involved in the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin Winning Team when his position was still Jokowi's vice president at that time. “Pak JK in 2019 as vice president as well as being the Advisory Council of TKN (National Campaign Team) Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin. Can it also be interpreted as ‘cawe-cawe’ for a replacement in the vice president position? ” he asked. Earlier, Tuesday (2/5) night, President Jokowi invited high-ranking coalition political parties to hold a meeting at the Merdeka Palace. During the meeting were attended by PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri, Golkar Party Chair Airlangga Hartarto, Gerindra Party Chair Prabowo Subianto, Plt. PPP Chairman Mardiono, PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan, and PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar. As for Thursday (4/5), Jokowi said his steps were to invite the general chairman of the coalition party at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/5) night, not a form of political "strengthening". "A joke? Not 'cheating'. It's a discussion about 'cheating'. Discussion, I'm a political official. I'm not 'cheating'," said President Jokowi on the sidelines of his activities visiting the Sarinah shopping center, in Jakarta, Thursday. The President emphasized that he is a public official as well as a political official so it is natural for him to speak about the political situation. The statement was made when asked about a meeting with high-ranking political parties from the government coalition at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/5), but did not invite the NasDem Party to attend.

Meanwhile, Jusuf Kalla when hosting the General Chairperson of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar at his residence, South Jakarta, Saturday (6/5) night, asked President Jokowi not to interfere much in political affairs, especially related to the 2024 presidential election so that it is more democratic.