Surya Paloh Reveals The Contents Of The Meeting With Jokowi, Discuss Coalition?

Head Of NasDem Surya Paloh/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, explained the contents of his meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace on Sunday, February 18.

Surya admitted, in the meeting as well as having dinner together, he and Jokowi discussed current developments, including the conditions of the 2024 General Election. However, Surya claimed that the topic of discussion was quite light.

"It's light. Just discussing the matter of dinner and talking about the circumstances, developments, the situation that is in the midst of the daily life of our society. No more than that," said Surya at Wisma Nusantara, Central Jakarta, Friday, February 23.

There are many speculations about the invitation to NasDem to join the government coalition for the period 2024-2029 at the meeting between Jokowi and Surya Paloh.

However, Surya emphasized that there was no invitation from Jokowi to join the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka's coalition of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, who are now getting the most votes in the KPU's preliminary vote calculations.

"Ah, there is no (close call) yet," said Surya.

Surya Paloh's meeting with Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace took place with the agenda of having dinner together on Sunday, February 18. Jokowi said his meeting with Surya Paloh was a bridge for political parties.

"This is only the beginning. Later when it is final, we will convey it. But actually I am just a bridge, the most important thing is later parties," said Jokowi after the inauguration of the State Defense Center Hospital, General Sudirman and 20 TNI hospitals in Jakarta.

Jokowi also said that meetings with a number of other general chairmen of political parties were being arranged. He wants to bridge them after the 2024 presidential election.

"I think this is in the process of being arranged because I really want to be a bridge for everything," Jokowi told reporters at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 21.

Jokowi, who recently met with the General Chair of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, said that the meeting did need to be held. However, he will not force it.

"Yes, all those who really have to meet, could find them. If you don't need to meet, why do you have to meet them," he said.