Jusuf Kalla Responds to Airlangga Hartarto’s Partnership with Anies Baswedan for 2024 Presidential Election

Jakarta –

The 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK) responded to the general chairmanship of the Golkar Party Airlangga Hartarto partnered with NasDem Party Bacapres Anies Baswedan. JK said he was close to all the candidates.

“I have been close to Airlangga since I was at Golkar since 20 years ago, Anies is of course close, Prabowo is close, yes I am close to all of these candidates,” JK said after a meeting with Airlangga at his residence in the Brawijaya area, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Thursday (4/5/2023).

“But whatever my history is, Golkar’s history. Back to it,” he continued.

JK said that regarding the opportunity for Airlangga to partner with whom in the 2024 Presidential Election, this is an inter-party authority. JK believes he is no longer in a position to make party decisions.

“That will be a discussion between the parties, I am no longer in a position to have a decisive position in the parties,” he said.

JK was also asked about Airlangga’s chances of becoming Prabowo’s running mate. JK said he couldn’t compare.

“I can’t compare, who compares the election later,” he said.

Meanwhile, Airlangga said that all opportunities could be discussed within the Golkar family. Whether it’s paired with Anies or Prabowo.

“This is all the extended Golkar family, if anything within the extended Golkar family can be discussed,” said Airlangga.

Previously, Airlangga said that in the meeting that took place, the two of them discussed plans for the grand coalition to JK. The second meeting lasted for approximately 1.5 hours.

“Of course I will provide an update on the coalition that is being built by the Golkar Party. Mr. JK, as a senior and also the general chairman of the Golkar Party, is obligated for me to convey updates on what the Golkar Party is doing,” said Airlangga.

However, Airlangga said he did not discuss the Great Coalition in detail. He admitted that tonight’s meeting was a family gathering.

“We talk globally. Family events are certainly not as detailed as those talks,” he said.

Airlangga, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, explained that the meeting with JK also discussed economic conditions. Airlangga said he received advice from JK.

“I have learned a lot from Mr. Jusuf Kalla, Mr. JK. Updating the current economy and global challenges going forward,” he said.

(AMW/DEC)