Following PKB, Nasdem finally joined the ranks of Prabowo-Gibran supporters

Nasdem followed PKB to support Prabowo-Gibran. Thus, 71 percent of DPR seats will be controlled by the government party.

KOMPAS/WILLY MEDI CHRISTIAN NABABAN

The Chairman of the Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh, met with the elected presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto at Jalan Kertanegara No. 4, South Jakarta, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — After choosing the opposite path in the 2024 Presidential Election, the Nasdem Party finally decided to join the ranks of supporters of the new government under the leadership of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The greater interests of the nation are the reason the political party supporting Anies Rasyid Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar in the presidential election decided to support Prabowo-Gibran.

Support for Prabowo-Gibran was conveyed directly by the General Chair of the Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh to Prabowo in a one-hour closed meeting, Thursday (25/4/2024) afternoon. Accompanied by a number of Nasdem elites, Paloh visited Prabowo's residence on Jalan Kertanegara Number 4, South Jakarta.

"We all came to the conclusion that this spirit of great soul is the main capital that we need. "Departing from here, Nasdem reiterates its support for the new government, Prabowo-Gibran," said Surya Paloh after the meeting.

Also read: Political Lobbying Continues, Prabowo Scheduled to Receive Surya Paloh

When expressing support for Prabowo-Gibran, Paloh was accompanied by Nasdem's General Treasurer Ahmad Sahroni and Nasdem's Secretary General Hermawi F Taslim. Meanwhile, Prabowo was accompanied by Gerindra's Daily Chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Gerindra's Secretary General Ahmad Muzani.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The Chairman of the General Elections Commission, Hasyim Asyari, handed over letters of appointment for the elected president and vice-president to Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka at the KPU RI Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

With the joining of the Nasdem Party, the strength of the coalition of political parties supporting Prabowo-Gibran also increased. Previously, the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) consisted of the Gerindra Party, Golkar Party, Democratic Party and National Mandate Party (PAN), now the National Awakening Party (PKB) and Nasdem have been added.

According to Paloh, the decision to join Prabowo-Gibran has gone through a contemplation process and deep consideration regarding the future of the nation. The increasing global challenges demand elites to unite their strengths.

"There is indeed an option because it was not me who asked, but rather the opportunity, encouragement, desire, and spirit to invite together with the government, I think that is better. That's my choice, Nasdem's choice," he said.

Moreover, according to Paloh, being an "opposition" to the government can be done at any time. Meanwhile, to be part of the government requires spirit and sincerity that prioritize objectivity while still maintaining reasoning and critical thinking.

Indeed, there is an option because it was not me who requested it, but rather an opportunity, encouragement, desire, and spirit to collaborate with the government that I think is better.

Paloh also mentioned his long-standing relationship with Prabowo, which has been going on for decades. However, this is meaningless as they have reached old age. At the age of 72, both Prabowo and Paloh have the same desire for Indonesia to advance as a nation.

Meanwhile, Prabowo stated that his meeting with Paloh was intense and productive. In the meeting, all parties agreed that the Nasdem Party will collaborate for the sake of the Indonesian people.

"All strengths that can unite to work for the people, providing a strong and effective government in the midst of world dynamics, are eagerly awaited by our people," he said.

Control 71 percent of DPR seats

Before Nasdem, PKB had already declared joining the coalition supporting Prabowo-Gibran. The party led by Muhaimin Iskandar, the vice presidential candidate supported by Nasdem, PKB, and PKS, even submitted eight programs of change to Prabowo.

Referring to the calculation by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Koalisi Indonesia Maju (KIM) consisting of the Gerindra Party, Golkar Party, PAN, and Democratic Party will have control over 280 or 48.29 percent of the total 580 DPR seats. Meanwhile, Partai Bulan Bintang (PBB), Partai Solidaritas Indonesia (PSI), and Partai Garuda, which are part of KIM, failed to pass into parliament.

With the inclusion of PKB and Nasdem, the coalition supporting the Prabowo-Gibran government in parliament is expected to dominate 417 or 71.89 percent of DPR seats. According to calculations by CSIS, PKB will obtain 68 seats and the Nasdem Party will obtain 69 seats.

Also read: Prabowo Invites All Elites to Leave Their Differences

Nevertheless, the number of seats and matters related to legislative elections cannot be confirmed yet. This is because the process of disputing the results of the 2024 legislative elections is still ongoing in the Constitutional Court.