Decades Of Friendship So Surya Paloh's Reason For Invite Mahathir Mohammad To The NasDem National Working Meeting

Head of NasDem Surya Paloh with Mahathir Mohammad/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, said that he specifically invited former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad to his party's national working meeting (rakernas) because of the long friendship.

"I personally got in touch with and knew him more than 40 years ago," Surya told reporters after holding a closed meeting with Mahathir Mohammad at NasDem Tower, Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, Friday, June 17.

Surya Paloh said he had respect for Mahathir. In fact, later his friend will be given time to give a public lecture in front of NasDem Party cadres.

"And that is a valuable moment for NasDem which certainly adds to the spirit of motivation," he said.

"We know that together with Doctor Mahathir Mohammad, he is a national figure, more specifically, who always inspires everyone," added Surya.

Meanwhile, Mahathir Mohammad said he was happy to be present in Indonesia and met Surya Paloh, who he called an old friend.

"I am very grateful to be able to meet an old friend," he said.

In addition, he also saw that Indonesia had made a lot of progress, especially Surya Paloh.

"This makes me happy. I hope we can continue this friendship in the future even though I don't have much time and we hope that we can contribute to the friendship between Malaysia and Indonesia," Mahathir said.

As previously reported, NasDem Deputy Chairperson Ahmad Ali said Mahathir had come during the closing of the National Working Meeting on Friday, June 17. Mahathir and Surya Paloh's relationship has existed for a long time.

"Yes, Mr. Mahathir Mohammad came as a friend of General Chairman Surya," said Ahmad Ali to reporters some time ago.