JAKARTA: Indonesia President-elect Prabowo Subianto is likely to get a near-supermajority support in parliament after two parties showed signs of joining his new governing coalition.
The two parties, the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) and the National Awakening Party (PKB), previously backed Mr Prabowo’s opponents, Anies Baswedan and his running mate Muhaimin Iskandar, for the February Presidential Election.
The chairmen of both parties, Mr Surya Paloh of Nasdem and Mr Muhaimin of PKB, met Mr Prabowo within days after the General Election Commission (KPU) on Wednesday (April 24) officially declared Mr Prabowo and his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka as winners of the 2024 Presidential Election.
KPU’s official confirmation came after the Constitutional Court decision on Monday to reject the election dispute lawsuits by two other presidential candidates Mr Anies and Mr Ganjar Pranowo.
The Constitutional Court declared the lawsuit’s allegations of election fraud and interference by President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, to favour Mr Prabowo and Mr Gibran, who is also Mr Jokowi’ son, as unsubstantiated.
Nasdem’s indication to join Mr Prabowo’s governing coalition was conveyed by Mr Paloh who met the president-elect on Thursday afternoon in Jakarta. Following the meeting Mr Paloh said that his party would “support the new government under Mr Prabowo Subianto”.
Mr Paloh said that it is better to stand in the government’s camp for the sake of building a more advanced Indonesia.
“The opportunity, the urge, the desire, the spirit to be with the government, I think it’s better. This is my choice. Nasdem’s choice,” he said as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
“Being in opposition can be at any time, but working to help the government requires a spirit and sincerity of heart and which prioritises objectivity,” Mr Paloh added.
Mr Prabowo said communication had also taken place previously between the delegates of his party, the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), and Nasdem.
“We agreed that we will work together for the greatest interest of the Indonesian people,” Mr Prabowo said.
