Surya Paloh: Anies-Muhaimin combination could possibly happen

Chairman of the Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh, stated that an Anies-Muhaimin combination could possibly occur. Surya also expressed his concern if the Democrats felt betrayed.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Surya Paloh: Paduan Anies-Muhaimin Kemungkinan Bisa Terjadi

KOMPAS/PRADIPTA PANDU

Solar Paloh

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Nasdem opens up the possibility of a combination of Anies Rasyid Baswedan and the General Chair of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar as the presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate. However, PKB has not yet conveyed any decision regarding its political position.

Chairman of the Nasdem Party Surya Paloh when met at the Nasdem Tower, Jakarta, Thursday (31/8/2023), said that an Anies-Muhaimin combination could possibly happen. However, the decision is not yet fully official. "Could occur. "The decision has not yet reached its final conclusion," he said.

Also read: Democrats Say Anies Agree to Collaboration between Nasdem-PKB to Support Anies-Muhaimin

Boosted Anies' voice

Actually, the coalition has not prepared to accompany Anies at all. Nevertheless, Surya hopes that the presence of the Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) can boost Anies' vote count in Central Java and East Java.

Previously, the Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Teuku Riefky Harsya, in a written statement admitted that he had received information from Sudirman Said, who represented Anies Baswedan, that Anies has agreed to political cooperation between the Nasdem Party and PKB. This political cooperation was built to support the pair Anies and Muhaimin in the 2024 presidential election. According to Teuku Riefky, the agreement was made unilaterally at the initiative of Surya Paloh.

Regarding the Democratic Party that feels betrayed, Surya also expresses concern because the hope of continuing to work together seems to disappear. Basically, the Nasdem Party does not reject the proposal of the Democratic Party to nominate their chairman, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), as the companion of Anies.

"I respect whatever decision the Democratic Party has made. Regarding the coalition, we hope for the best. If possible, we hope it doesn't dissolve and that the previous plans can still be achieved," he said.

When asked about Muhaimin, who is a part of the government supporting party, Surya emphasized that the coalition built by Nasdem still upholds the slogan of change. For him, change is a necessity, whether one likes it or not.

ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Anies Baswedan and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) shook hands after delivering speeches at the headquarters of the Democratic Party in Pegangsaan, Menteng district, Central Jakarta, on Friday (7/10/2022).

The PKB has not yet made a decision

Contacted separately, PKB Deputy Secretary General Syaiful Huda emphasized that so far there has been no decision regarding PKB's political position. Likewise regarding the news circulating regarding the agreement between Nasdem and PKB to nominate Anies-Muhaimin as capres-cawapres candidates.

"Not yet, not yet (a decision has been made). Everything is still being weighed and considered, we are still discussing," said Huda.

Also read: The Political Map of the Presidential Election Has Changed, Ganjar is Not Worried and Democrats Call It Betrayal

He does not deny that the current internal situation of PKB is not well since the Chairman of Gerindra, Prabowo Subianto, who is supported by Gerindra as a presidential candidate, announced the name of a new coalition, namely the Koalisi Indonesia Maju at the 25th anniversary of Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) event on Monday (28/8/2023) night. According to Huda, in determining the name of the coalition, Muhaimin was not invited for discussion.

Deputy Secretary General of the Central Executive Board of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Syaiful Huda, emphasized that there has been no decision regarding the political position of PKB.

"In terms of principles and political guidance, we are relatively obedient and abide by political protocols. Indeed, our internal PKB colleagues were disappointed with the announcement of the Indonesia Maju Coalition, which saw a significant jump. Thus far, regardless of any coalition formed, a mutual understanding of perception, vision, and mission, including the agreed upon mechanism for selecting a vice-presidential candidate as well as the rights and responsibilities of each respective party, has been reached. However, all of this has been overlooked and very suddenly, Gus Imin knew about it at a PAN event before Prabowo took to the stage," Huda stated.

KOMPAS

Gerindra, PKB, Golkar, PAN, and PBB have agreed to name their coalition as the Coalition for Indonesia's Progress. They claim that this coalition has the spirit to continue the struggle and leadership of President Joko Widodo. This was conveyed by the Chairman of Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, in a political speech at the 25th anniversary of PAN in Jakarta on Monday evening (28/8).

PKB holds a meeting

However, on Monday (28/8/2023) afternoon, during the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) held at the PKB Central Office, Muhaimin asserted to his cadres that the Koalisi Kebangkitan Indonesia Raya (KKIR) plus Golkar and PAN were very solid. On that occasion, Huda also admitted that Muhaimin requested him to explain to the cadres about the coalition's development.

"I was asked to explain. This is the best coalition with KKIR along with Golkar and PAN, God willing, Gus Imin can fulfill the mandatory of the congress as a vice president candidate. However, suddenly at 7pm, the opposite event occurred. I was shocked and deeply disappointed," said Huda.

Also read: ”Banquet” for Anies Baswedan

In response to this situation, PKB will discuss it in a meeting of the Central Board of Directors (Rapat DPP) which is planned to be held in the next 1-2 days. During the Rapat DPP, PKB will determine its position within the Indonesia Maju Coalition. "So, we are still waiting for the decision of the DPP," he said.

Previously, the Secretary-General of the Democratic Party and Member of Team 8, Teuku Riefky Harsya, stated that Anies had agreed to a political cooperation between the Nasdem Party and the PKB Party, to endorse the Anies-Muhaimin pair. However, according to Teuku Riefky, Anies had chosen the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, as his vice presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, through a written statement, the Head of the Political, Legal and Security Division of the Prosperous Justice Party DPP (PKS) and Member of Team 8 Almuzammil Yusuf, respect the political stance of each political party. According to him, various efforts have been made to find common ground within the Coalition for Change for Unity (KPP), but have not obtained the desired results together.

DIAN DEWI PURNAMASARI

The presidential candidate supported by the Nasdem Party, Anies Rasyid Baswedan (right), and the Deputy Chairman of the Majelis Syuro of the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of the Justice and Prosperity Party, Ahmad Heryawan, demonstrated their closeness at the Volunteer Advocacy Training for Social Welfare Services (PPKS) event at the DPP of PKS in Jakarta, on Sunday (30/10/2022).

PKS referred to the Syuro Council Deliberation

He emphasized that PKS still refers to the decision of the Eighth Musyawarah Majelis Syuro (MMS), which is to support and endorse Anies as a presidential candidate in the 2024 Election. Therefore, PKS remains steadfast in the decision of the MMS VIII and will strive to carry out the mandate to the best of its ability. PKS adheres to the agreement in the KPP charter that the choice of vice-presidential candidate is determined by Anies.

Member of Team 8 of the KPP, Sudirman Said, explains that in clause 3 of the KPP working agreement, the presidential candidate is tasked with selecting a vice presidential candidate. This task is part of the selection process because ultimately, it is the political party leaders, who act as supporters, who are authorized to determine and register the presidential and vice presidential pair, not the presidential candidate.

PKS still refers to the decision made in the Eighth Musyawarah Majelis Syuro (MMS), which is to support and endorse Anies as a presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

"The presidential candidate has fulfilled that task by discussing with various parties, reviewing all proposed name options. After going through a process of exploration, discussion, and elimination, it was determined that the available and willing name was Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono. This was conveyed to all party leaders in the coalition in June 2023," said Sudirman.

He revealed that the party leaders responded differently to the proposal. Some parties agreed and requested its immediate approval. However, others believed that there was no need to rush and suggested waiting until the end of the registration period while anticipating the emergence of alternative names.

"The difference in views among the political parties have not found a common ground. As there has been no agreement, the process of determining the candidate for vice president cannot be decided," said Sudirman.