Budiman Sudjatmiko: I Hope Bang Ara Joins TKN

Deputy Chairman of the TKN Expert Council Budiman Sudjatmiko Friday 19 January/Photo: Abdul Aziz Masindo/VOI

Deputy Chairman of the TKN Expert Council Budiman Sudjatmiko hopes that former PDIP politician Maruarar Sirait will join the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN). "I am not a spokesman for Ara but I hope yes (joining TKN), I hope so, for certainty he will know," said Budiman at the 98 Brotherhood DPP office, South Jakarta, Friday, January 19. When asked about the issue of joining PSI, Budiman stated that he still did not know. Currently he is only focused on winning Prabowo-Gibran because Indonesia needs strategic and visionary leadership. "I don't know (joining PSI), who plays at the Palace, right, Bang Ara, I'm just playing at the shop, until now I'm confused, still single (not partnering) like just getting divorced, looking for another wife, still looking for (party) enjoying the political space period," said Budiman. As previously reported, the former PDIP politician, Maruarar Sirait, officially expressed support for candidate pair number 2, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka. However, Ara, as he is familiarly called, has not confirmed whether he has also joined the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN) or not. Ara only stated that he would participate in Prabowo's directives and activities as a presidential candidate. As this afternoon, Ara accompanied Prabowo to attend a dialogue with the Fellowship of Churches in Indonesia.

"I'm just joining Pak Prabowo. I'm following Pak Prabowo, what is certain is that this is my first official activity," said Ara in PGI, Salemba, Jakarta, Friday, January 19.