Together With PKS Wants To Form A Coalition Of Red Ants, PKB: In A War, Wins Against An Elephant

PKB Deputy Chairperson Jazilul Fawaid with PKS Secretary General Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi/PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh-VOI

JAKARTA - The National Awakening Party (PKB) is planning to build a new coalition with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) under the name of the Red Ant Coalition (KSM).

Deputy Chairperson of the PKB, Jazilul Fawaid, believes that as a party that was born in the Reformation era, PKB and PKS have many things in common. Moreover, both of them have the most votes in Islamic party groups even though they are not big parties.

"I thought why I called it red ants, because they're just small ones. The elephants you make yourself, try to compete with sportsmanship, without suspicion. Right now, we often have a coalition of ants and elephants in one place. The ants also don't get a role. nothing," said Jazilul during a press conference with PKS Secretary General Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, June 9.

Regarding the red ant, Jazilul assesses that its strength is no less than that of a coalition of major parties which is analogous to an elephant.

"We are a small coalition, we will just call it the ant coalition, when it comes to war, the ants win against the elephants. And the little red ants can shrink everywhere," he added.

After all, said Jazilul, both PKS and PKB had previously promoted Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur as president in 1999. At that time, PKS was still called the Justice Party (PK).

Then when Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono became president, the two parties also sat in the cabinet for two terms.

“This means that the PKB and PKS coalition is nothing new, in fact it has even appointed people as president. Can 2024 build a coalition and make the coalition presidential candidate win? It is very possible," said Jazilul.

Regarding the coalition's steps forward, Jazilul said, communication is still very fluid. In fact, according to him, the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) is still opening the door for other parties to join.

"Because all parties are still liquid, actually KIB is still liquid, all of these parties are open. But we convey a vision for Indonesian unity. all parties have thoughts," he explained.

"Surely it (communication) exists. But when is the schedule? This discussion is at the level of finding common ground and conveying the impression to the public that there is no more identity politics, no more cursing each other, especially Muslims. The key is there," concluded Jazilul.