Idrus Marham Is Sure That There Will Be No Palace Stalls If Bahlil Advances, Chairman

Idrus Marham/ANTARA PHOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/aww.

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Election Winning Board of the Golkar Party DPP, Idrus Marham, believes that President Joko Widodo or his close circle at the Palace against Bahlil Lahadalia, who is said to be running for chairman of the party.

"I have confidence there is nothing (cheating, ed.), and there is no reason for that," said Idrus Marham as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 13.

Idrus, when asked for his response regarding the meeting between President Jokowi and Bahlil Lahadalia a few days before Airlangga resigned, considered it not related to party affairs.

"Even if you meet with four eyes, yes as president and minister, there is no problem," said Idrus.

Bahlil Lahadalia is currently the investment minister and head of the investment coordination agency in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, led by President Jokowi-Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

He said the statement that said there was a'strengthening' of the Palace was just an assumption.

"Pak Jokowi (will become) a former president and has legislation, what else?" said Idrus in response to reporters' questions.

Bahlil Lahadalia along with several other names such as Bambang Soesatyo, Agus Gumiwang, and Kahar Muzakir are said to be candidates for chairman of Golkar during the Golkar Party's national deliberation (munas) on August 20, 2024 at night.

However, Agus Gumiwang, who is currently officially serving as acting (plt.) general chairman, admitted that he would not run for definitive chairman at the National Conference. Agus, when asked by reporters why he did not run, said he would only focus on leading the party until the national deliberation.

Meanwhile, Idrus claims that Bahlil has now received support from 34 regional leadership councils (DPD) of the Golkar Party.