May Crush Votes For 2024 Election, Jusuf Kalla Rejects Golkar National Conference

Former Chairman of the 2004-2009 Golkar Party, Jusuf Kalla (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former chairman of the Golkar Party 2004-2009 Jusuf Kalla admitted that he did not agree with the issue of an extraordinary national consultation (Munaslub) which was taking place within his party ahead of the 2024 elections because it would bring down the muruah of the party bearing the banyan tree.

"Strongly disagree because that will further reduce Golkar's reputation," said Jusuf Kalla after a seminar entitled "Youth for Politics" quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 31.

Because, he said, if a split occurred within the Golkar Party it could have an impact on the number of votes won in the upcoming 2024 election.

"United alone does not necessarily win, let alone not united," added the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia.

Instead, he continued, the entire internal Golkar Party should unite in order to win the 2024 elections, which are less than a year away.

"To unite in a crisis situation means a shorter time. How can you win if it breaks? Yes, you have to unite first," he said.

According to him, the issue of the rolling of the Munaslub to replace the leadership of Airlangga Hartarto as the general chairman of the Golkar Party and as a presidential candidate (candidate) for the Golkar Party also cannot be used as a basis for reasons.

"If for the reason that Mr. Airlangga's fate is not elected, who can say for sure who will be elected?" he said.

The news of the plan to hold the Golkar National Conference surfaced after Member of the Expert Council of the Golkar Party Ridwan Hisjam assessed that Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Bambang Soesatyo were fit to replace Airlangga Hartarto as chairman through the holding of the National Conference.

The three founding organizations of the Golkar Party, namely Kosgoro 1957, the Gotong Royong Family Consultation (MKGR), and the Central Indonesian Self-Employee Organization (SOKSI), also asked Airlangga Hartarto to step down from the position of general chairman of the Golkar Party DPP.

Meanwhile, Airlangga Hartarto assessed that there was no plan to hold a Munaslub. He encouraged parties who wish to run for leadership of the Golkar Party to wait for the National Congress (Munas) to be held in 2024.

"The 2024 National Conference, please if you are interested in becoming the 2024 General Chair of Golkar," said Airlangga in Jakarta, Wednesday, July 13.