Zulhas Asks Erick Thohir's Blessing To Be Prabowo's Vice Presidential Candidate To Cak Imin

PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan took advantage of the momentum of his party's 25th Anniversary celebration to promote SOE Minister Erick Thohir as Prabowo Subianto's future vice presidential candidate.

The event which was held tonight was attended by the leadership of the one coalition party, namely Gerindra Chairman Prabowo Subianto, Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto, UN Chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin).

In his remarks, Zulhas offered Erick to be chosen by the coalition as Prabowo's vice presidential candidate. Zulhas also asked Cak Imin for his blessing so that his vice presidential candidate would be approved. Given, Cak Imin is also eyeing Prajowo's vice presidential position in their coalition.

"Indeed, the one who is suitable to accompany him is Mr. Erick Thohir. What about Cak Imin? Well, the first Cak Imin (collisioned) with Pak Prabowo. First of all, his blessing must be from Cak Imin," said Zulhas to laughter from the whole room, Monday, August 28.

Zulhas admitted that he knew Erick and his performance. As PSSI General Chair, it is seen that Zulhas is able to improve the quality of Indonesian football, one of which makes the national team win 2nd place in the AFF U-23 Cup.

"Mr. Erick, I have known him for a long time, Mr. Prabowo. So the vice presidential candidate from PAN Mr. Erick, how about it? And Mr. Muhadjir (Menko PMK Muhadjir Effendy). Thank you to Mr. Erick, our PSSI is amazing right now. Congratulations second place, it's not easy to win second place. We've never won," explained Zulhas.

As, a fellow minister in President Jokowi's government, Zulhas views himself as having the same understanding as Erick in seeking economic and political sovereignty in Indonesia.

"We have to be sovereign in the fields of economic, political and cultural, but we have to have priority. So I just talked to Mr. Erick Thohir. Brothers and sisters, like Mr. Erick, right? Okay, don't you? " said Zulhas, who was answered by the screams "OK" by the cadres at the location.

However, Zulhas said there are still other figures in his coalition who also deserve to accompany Prabowo in the upcoming 2024 political contestation, such as Cak Imin and Airlangga.

"So Cak Imin deserves it, it's much more appropriate. Mr. Airlangga, how about the number two winner, whether it's appropriate or not, it's much more appropriate," said Zulhas.

However, Zulhas believes that there will be one name for the vice presidential candidate which will later be agreed upon by all coalition parties supporting Prabowo.

I believe, in time, at the right moment we are brothers and sisters, have a family. Pak Prabowo, Cak Imin, Pak Airlangga are the family of our close relatives. I am sure that in time we will have the right moment to agree who his deputy will be," he concluded.