“Cak Imin Fails to Develop Coalition with AHY in 2024 Presidential Election”

CNN Indonesia

Wednesday, 03 May 2023 21:52 WIB

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin admits that he failed to lobby Democratic Party General Chair Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) to join the grand coalition that will be formed ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election.

“From the start I wanted to develop a coalition, one of my agendas was to influence parties including AHY. But after meeting his faith was strong. The secret is, in the end I haven’t apply because his intentions are still strong,” said Cak Imin at Puri Cikeas, Bogor, Wednesday (5/4)

Meanwhile, AHY also responded to Cak Imin’s previous statement that would tempt Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to join the grand coalition.

“Yes, it feels like we teased each other earlier. In a good way. It means that we exchanged ideas and notes that the discussion was very fluid. I think there is maturity in politics. I often mention that there are political forces who feel that I am here and there,” said AHY.

AHY also said that meeting with PKB was a good culture and tradition.

“We don’t make too much effort to influence each other. Anytime we can meet each other, what is clear is the enthusiasm for finding a good way,”

Previously, Cak Imin admitted that he would ask SBY about the fate of the Coalition of Change for Unity (KPP) coalition, which had already had an in-depth meeting with SBY.

“The most important thing is whether the choice of each in this coalition group is final?” said Cak Imin after meeting Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto at the Plataran City Forest, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (3/5).

Departing from that, he admitted that he would invite the Democratic Party to join the Great Indonesia Awakening coalition (KIR) if the Coalition for Change was not final.

“Pak SBY, if it’s not final, we can bring it here,” he said.

Cak Imin said that his meeting with SBY tonight would be a gathering and halalbihalal event. On the other hand, it also opens opportunities to enlarge coalitions.

“Which will also become part of joint work to enlarge the coalition,” he said.

Democrats have now joined the Coalition for Change for Unity with NasDem and PKS. This coalition has agreed to carry Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, PKB has initiated the Greater Indonesia Awakening Coalition (KKIR) with Gerindra since the middle of last year. They have also signed a coalition charter but have not yet carried a presidential-cawapres candidate.

(khr/DAL)