Fadli Zon Is A Conflict That Prabowo Must Avoid For Jokowi

Prabowo Subianto and Fadli Zon (Instagram / @ fadlizon)

JAKARTA - The Gerindra Party has determined five new compositions in the position of party spokesman. There is no name Fadli Zon in it. Perhaps Gerindra did not point at Fadli on purpose. To avoid conflict with the government, of course.

As we all know, Prabowo is currently close to the government camp. He occupies the position of minister of defense in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. And Fadli, to this day, is known as one of the Gerindra cadres who consistently voiced criticism of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Political observer from Al-Azhar University Indonesia, Ujang Komarudin, assessed that this dynamic is the aftermath of the confusion that Prabowo is currently experiencing. Fadli is indeed needed in Gerindra's position as a coalition in the 2019 elections. But, today, that's no longer the case.

"When Prabowo Subianto is outside the government, Fadli Zon is very much needed. Now, because Prabowo is currently in the Jokowi governing coalition, Fadli's vocal role is not really needed because it will be counterproductive," said Ujang when contacted by VOI in Jakarta, Friday, December 6.

Even so, Ujang said, not having appointed Fadli as a spokesperson did not necessarily indicate that Gerindra had dumped Fadli. Like a soldier, Ujang said that Fadli was currently being withdrawn.

"Later, when it is needed again, it will definitely be vocal again. In the condition that Prabowo is in the Jokowi coalition section, Prabowo does not seem to have offered a spokesman for Fadli. And if offered Fadli, it seems that he will not want to. Because he is consistent in criticizing Jokowi," said Ujang.

Prabowo direct appointment

Contacted separately, Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco, explained that Prabowo made the appointment directly. However, he refused to confirm Prabowo's reasons for not including Fadli's name in the spokesperson's composition.

"I can't answer this one. Because, about the five names, Pak Prabowo knows," said Dasco.

The reason for the appointment of several cadres as spokesmen, said Dasco, was to make it easier for all parties to obtain information regarding the official position of the party bearing the Garuda bird. Dasco said, the composition of the spokesman will also be periodically evaluated by Prabowo. The number can be reduced or increased.

Gerindra, as a party supporting the government, wants its cadres to stay focused on working in their respective fields to ensure the success of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf government's popular programs.

The five spokespersons appointed by Prabowo were Ahmad Muzani, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Sugiono, Habiburokhman, and Ahmad Riza Patria.

As is known, the Gerindra Party together with PKS, PAN and Democrats in the 2019 Presidential Election supported the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno pair as presidential-cawapres candidates. This candidate pair against the incumbent Joko Widodo-Ma'ruf Amin.

Losing the election, Prabowo then accepted Jokowi's offer to enter the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet for the 2019-2024 period as defense minister. Meanwhile, other parties, such as PKS, PAN and Democrat remain consistently outside the government.