Agreeing to Continue Cooperation, Nasdem and PKS Are Ready Inside or Outside Government

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The Chairman of the Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh (third from the left), together with the President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Ahmad Syaikhu (third from the right), after a meeting at the Nasdem Party's DPP Office in Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/6/2022). Both parties have aligned their perceptions and frequencies to explore a coalition for the 2024 Elections.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The two political parties supporting the pair Anies Rasyid Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar, namely the Nasdem Party and the Prosperous Justice Party, have agreed to continue political cooperation. Not only are they collaborating in facing simultaneous regional head elections, the two political parties are also reviewing the political positions that will be taken during the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka government. Both Nasdem and PKS are ready if they have to be inside or outside the government.

The sustainability of political cooperation was discussed in a meeting between the Chairman of the Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh, and the President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Ahmad Syaikhu, at the Nasdem Tower in Jakarta on Wednesday (24/4/2024). In the meeting, Surya Paloh was accompanied by Nasdem Secretary General Hermawi F Taslim, and Syaikhu was accompanied by PKS Secretary General Aboebakar Al Habsy.

After the meeting, Paloh revealed that many things were discussed in the meeting held on the same day as the announcement of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the elected president and vice president candidates. "We discussed everything. Of course, we searched for common ground, not differences that we made in such a way. Instead, we searched for common points that allow for it," said Paloh.

Syaikhu added that Nasdem and PKS already have an initial capital for collaborating to pursue their political journey in the future. So far, the two parties have exchanged ideas and worked together to win Anies-Muhaimin, the presidential and vice presidential candidates they supported in the 2024 presidential election.

The political collaboration, according to Syaikhu, will be continued. In addition to collaboration in facing the simultaneous regional elections in November, PKS and Nasdem will also continue their collaboration in parliament.

"In the future, God willing, we will also participate in the simultaneous regional elections process, or we can also collaborate in parliamentary life. Hopefully, this collaboration can continue to be realized," said Syaikhu after the meeting.

I say to my PKS friends, kindly consider what is best for this country, whether PKS is in or out of the government. However, what I understand is that both PKS and Nasdem are ready.

Paloh added that currently Nasdem and PKS are still reviewing the political positions that will be taken during the new government under the leadership of Prabowo-Gibran. Will they be together in the ranks of political parties supporting the Prabowo-Gibran government or outside the government?

"That matter has not reached a final stage. I said to my friends in PKS, let us reflect on what is good for this country, whether PKS is inside or outside the government. But what I understand is that PKS and Nasdem are both ready (whether inside or outside the government)," said Paloh.

Also read: Nasdem Elites Meet Prabowo and Personal Dasco, What's Up?

Syaikhu added that Surya Paloh's views will be input for the Central Leadership Council (DPTP) of PKS in determining future political positions. Because strategic matters are decided by the DPTP, including the position of PKS whether it will be in or outside the government.

Regional election coalition

The PKS and Nasdem are also continuing to explore the possibility of forming a coalition in facing the simultaneous regional elections. Paloh revealed that Nasdem and PKS have discussed in which areas they can collaborate.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

The crowd raised the flags of the PKS and Nasdem parties during the open campaign of presidential candidate Anies Baswedan in the courtyard of GOR Haji Agus Salim, Padang City, West Sumatra, on Thursday (25/1/2024). Anies' campaign with a narrative of a change movement was attended by thousands of supporters from several regencies/cities in West Sumatra.

"Cooperation related to regional elections, we have discovered several areas that I cannot mention," said Paloh.

Also read: Accepting the Constitutional Court's decision, Anies-Muhaimin hopes that the transfer of power will be peaceful