Palace Allows President Jokowi To Meet Surya Paloh

Photo Antara

JAKARTA - The Coordinator of the Special Staff of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ari Dwipayana, confirmed that there was a meeting between President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and the Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NasDem) Surya Paloh.

"Yes, that's right. The President received Mr. Surya Paloh tonight at the Merdeka Palace," said Ari via text message when confirmed by ANTARA, Sunday night.

He explained that the meeting began with Surya Paloh's request to face Jokowi.

In response to the request, he said, President Jokowi allocated his time on Sunday night to meet Paloh at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

"The meeting was over, (it took place) about an hour," said Ari.

It is not yet known what the conversation between Surya and Jokowi was at the meeting.

This meeting was held for the first time by Jokowi with Surya Paloh after the 2024 General Election.

Based on information compiled by Antara, Surya Paloh previously held a meeting with Presidential Candidate number 1 Anies Baswedan on Friday (16/2).

Anies said his meeting with Surya Paloh was to discuss facts related to the election.

"We discussed developments, matched views," he said in Jakarta, Friday (16/2).

NasDem, a party led by Paloh, is a member of the coalition that carries the presidential candidate pair Anies-Muhaimin.

Selain itu, Surya Paloh juga sebelumnya mengatakan bahwa kemungkinan dalam waktu dekat dirinya akan berkomunikasi dengan Ketua Umum Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan Megawati Soekarnoputri untuk membahas perkembangan Pemilihan Umum Presiden-Vice President (Pilpres) 2024.