Kaesang Pangarep Receives Wejangan Leader From GKI Papua Synod

Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party Kaesang Pangarep (right) and PSI Secretary General Raja Juli Antoni (two right) had a dialogue with the GKI Synod Workers Agency in Papua in Jayapura (photo: dock. between)

JAYAPURA- Kaesang Pangarep, Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), met with the GKI Synod Workers Agency in Papua in Jayapura on Sunday, November 26. During the meeting, Kaesang received three advices about being a good leader figure from the priests.

The priests gave three criteria for leaders who were considered important, namely frequent worship in churches, not consuming excessive alcoholic beverages, and having one wife. Kaesang appreciated the advice and expressed his intention to continue to increase his leadership.

We (meet) and ask for prayers. Second, we asked him (the pastors, ed.) how can he be a better (leader). Earlier, it was stated that there were three criteria for leaders from pastors, first often going to church (worshiping), secondly not getting drunk (alcoholic drinks), and his wife one," said Kaesang in response to reporters' questions after the meeting.

During the meeting, Kaesang was accompanied by a number of PSI figures, including PSI Secretary General Raja Juli Antoni, PSI Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees Grace Natalie, and PSI Board of Trustees Isyana Bagoes Oka.

"Thank you for coming and we from Sinode met and exchanged ideas. We are in a coma, Mas, we are in a coma (so that) the follow-up plan is in the hands of God," said Pastor Gustav.

Deputy Chairman II of the GKI Synod in Tanah Papua, Pastor Gustav M. Wutoy, welcomed the meeting and expressed respect for the presence of Kaesang and King Juli Antoni. They hope that there will be further cooperation between the church and PSI, especially regarding the participation of congregation members in the 2024 General Election and the 2024 Regional Head Election.

In the discussion, Kaesang also asked about the current situation in areas that were considered vulnerable. Pastor Gustav stated that GKI observed the situation as a wave, not yet something principled regarding leadership in the province.

Earlier it was Mas Kaesang's question, as well as the Deputy Minister (deputy minister, ed.) as the secretary general. I said that for the time being GKI observed it as a wave only. We have not seen it as something more principle, which principle concerns who will become the regional head in this province," said Rev. Gustav.

This meeting is considered as the first step to build cooperation and understanding between PSI and the GKI Synod in Papua. Kaesang hopes that the meeting can make a positive contribution to the development and welfare of the people in the region.

The GKI synod in Papua currently has more than 900,000 members throughout Papua Island, which stretches from West Papua, Southwest Papua, Papua, Mountains Papua, Central Papua, and South Papua. Of the hundreds of thousands of members, there are more than 2,000 congregations. Congregations are those who have special tasks in church services.