PKS No Problem NasDem Chairman Meets Jokowi After Anies Loses In Quick Count

DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the People's Welfare Party (PKS) Muhammad Kholid, responded to the meeting of the General Chairperson of NasDem Surya Paloh with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Kholid stated that his party had no problem with Ketum NasDem meeting President Jokowi at the Palace in the midst of counting the votes for the 2024 presidential election.

Kholid admitted that he did not know whether there had been communication or not between his party and NasDem regarding the meeting that was held after the presidential candidate he promoted, Anies Baswedan lost the quick count or quick count results. Even if not, according to him, PKS still appreciates NasDem's attitude as a partner in the change coalition.

"I haven't got the information whether it has been communicated or not. Even if there is no communication yet, I don't think it's a problem. That's the NasDem right that we respect," said Kholid, Monday, February 19.

Kholid explained that PKS respects every step of political parties in building political communication. Including NasDem meeting President Jokowi who is known to support candidate pair number 2.

"So for us, it is the autonomous authority of every political party," explained Kholid.

Kholid emphasized that most importantly his party is currently getting an increase in votes in the 2024 General Election. He said witnesses from the party were still overseeing the vote count at the KPU.

"In the temporary calculation, God willing, we are optimistic that the PKS vote will increase. We are continuing to monitor and control the sound, our witnesses are working and struggling in the field to ensure the calculation runs honestly and fairly," he said.

Previously, the NasDem Party DPP said that the presence of Ketum Surya Paloh at the Palace was to fulfill the invitation to dinner from President Jokowi.

"The presence of NasDem Chairman Pak Surya Paloh at the State Palace is to fulfill President Jokowi's dinner invitation," said NasDem Party Secretary General Hermawi Taslim in a statement to reporters, Sunday, February 18.

However, Presidential Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana said the meeting was based on Surya Paloh's initiative to meet Jokowi.

"Previously, Mr. Surya Paloh submitted a request to appear before the President," said Ari Dwipayana to reporters.