Responding To Urges Of Resigning From Jokowi's Cabinet, Surya Paloh Flashes Back To The Issuance Of Increasing Fuel Price Policy

President Jokowi (second left) with the chairman of the NasDem Party Surya Paloh (left) at the Second Congress of the NasDem Party in Jakarta on November 11, 2019. (ANTARA-Indrianto E S)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, has ensured that his party is fully committed to the government of President Joko Widodo until it is completed in 2024. He stressed that the principles of NasDem will not change even though they are faced with pressure to immediately resign from the cabinet.

"There are those who say to urge us, ask the President to remove NasDem from the government coalition, that is a challenge, that's what we face," said Paloh in his remarks for the launching of the 'NasDem Calling' program at NasDem Tower, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Monday 17 October.

Paloh emphasized that NasDem's attitude would not change despite pressure. The pressure came after NasDem declared Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate (candidate) for 2024.

"But has our character changed? Has our commitment changed? To continue to support the administration of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin government until the 2024 election, I say we will never change, brothers and sisters," he said.

In fact, Paloh said, NasDem supports the policy of increasing fuel prices as a form of commitment to the Jokowi government. According to him, the policy is correct.

"I want to give an illustration to you, just a few days ago the Jokowi-Ma'ruf government took an extraordinary strategic policy. For what? To take more meaningful benefits for the continuity of this nation's development. Reducing fuel subsidies means increasing prices. What is on NasDem's mind? Is that right? NasDem considers it the right policy," he said.

Paloh was surprised that of the 7 coalition political party factions, only NasDem supported the government's policy to increase fuel prices. The support, he said, was carried out sincerely for the development of the nation.

"Because it was considered the right policy, NasDem gave its sincere, full support, but it's strange, it's a miracle if there were 9 council sessions, there were 7 factions of the government coalition party, there was only 1 faction which stated that the fuel price hike would continue. What does that mean? This means that other parties or factions have stated that it is not correct," he continued.

Paloh considered that the support for the increase in fuel prices proves that his party is loyal to the government. But, he said, let the public judge the loyalty.

"I jokingly said to Mr. Jokowi, Mr. President, we have seven factions in this government coalition, this is the policy of increasing fuel prices, six factions disagree, only one faction agrees, otherwise this is the stupidest or most loyalist faction, it can't be like this. So just translate it NasDem is the stupidest party or the most loyal to Jokowi, please translate it," he concluded.