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Jokowi cracks jokes at Golkar's congress
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President Joko Widodo cracks a joke during his speech at the Golkar Party's national congress in Nusa Dua Bali on May 14. A new Golkar chair will be elected from eight candidates at the congress, held from May 14 to 17, by 3,000 congress attendees. (The Jakarta Post/Zul Trio Anggono)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo cracked jokes during Golkar Party's extraordinary congress, highlighting alleged rivalry between his two top aides.
In his remarks in the opening speech, Jokowi said he would be blunt and tell members of the second-largest party about the questions people had asked him.
"Many people have asked me why Pak Luhut called and arranged for a meeting with regional [Golkar] leaders. I told them that Pak Luhut was on its advisory council," he said, to which Golkar attendees responded with laughter.
"Similarly, other people have asked me why Pak Jusuf Kalla did the same thing, calling and arranging a meeting with regional leaders. I said he was the party's chairman and so it's OK."
Rumors are circulating that Vice President Kalla and Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Minister Luhut Panjaitan -- both influential figures within Golkar -- have endorsed separate candidates to run for the party's top job, replacing current chairman Aburizal Bakrie.
A new chairman is expected to be elected this weekend. Two of the strongest candidates are Ade Komaruddin, current House of Representatives speaker, and Setya Novanto, chairman of the party's faction at the House.
Ade is reportedly backed by Luhut, while Setya is reportedly supported by Kalla.
Meanwhile, Jokowi said Golkar was "an inseparable part of the country's politics" due to its long history and contributions.
"There are many leaders and political figures ... you are the results of Golkar's regeneration. I don't have to mention names. Golkar's thinking has shaped Indonesia's political, economic and social spheres," he said. (dmr)
