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Prabowo gathers prominent figures ahead of Jakarta election
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Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto (center) attends a campaign event of Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pair Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno at Banteng Square in Central Jakarta on Jan. 5. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
G
erindra Party chief patron Prabowo Subianto gathered a number of party elites and several political figures at his private residence in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Monday evening to talk about the Jakarta election, among other things.
As of 7:30 p.m., Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani said that all of them were still having dinner while talking about several national issues.
"They're talking about the development of the nation, with some notes about concerns [of current national situations]," said Muzani, who left the dinner to meet reporters.
The Jakarta election, he said, would also be one of the topics discussed in the closed meeting.
"[They] will also talk about the Jakarta election. But issues related to national unity are more important," he added.
He mentioned that several prominent figures at the dinner table with Prabowo included National Mandate Party (PAN) senior politician Amien Rais, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) chairman Sohibul Iman, former coordinating economic minister Kwik Kian Gie and Betawi figure Ridwan Saidi.
Former Muhammadiyah leader Din Syamsuddin and Abraham "Lulung" Lunggana, who recently was dismissed by the United Development Party (PPP), were also spotted entering Prabowo's house.
Muzani said that all invitees were those outside the government. He also said there were several businessmen.
"This [gathering] is important as it allows Prabowo to get some advice and input. Additionally, Prabowo and these figures are close friends and it's been a long time since he met with them," Muzani said.
