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MPR speaker entertains guests with political jokes, conversation
Political issues were the key topic of discussion during an open house meeting held at the official residence of People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Zulkifli Hasan on the first day of Idul Fitri on Sunday, which was attended by not only his relatives but also dozens of politicians
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Stronger together: People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Zulkifli Hasan (left) with House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto at the Golkar Party headquarters on Nov. 23, 2016. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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olitical issues were the key topic of discussion during an open house meeting held at the official residence of People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Zulkifli Hasan on the first day of Idul Fitri on Sunday, which was attended by not only his relatives but also dozens of politicians.
Among the attendees was House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto, with whom Zulkifli shared insights about potential candidates Golkar could endorse to contest gubernatorial elections in East Java and Central Java next year.
“If Golkar were to nominate Bu Khofifah, it would be best for Golkar to team up with PAN [the National Mandate Party] to do so,” Zulkifli told Setya during a light moment at lunch, to which Setya responded with a smile. Setya’s name has been all over the media recently after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that he was suspected of having played a role in an allegedly graft-plagued e-ID card procurement that the body is investigating.
Social Affairs Minister Khofiah Indar Parawansa was also mentioned as a potential candidate for the 2018 East Java gubernatorial election.
Earlier in the day, Zulkifli made a light joke when welcoming Golkar politician Aziz Syamsuddin, who is also chairman of the House’s Budget Committee (Banggar).
“Hello Aziz,” he said while offering a handshake.
“We feel safe when he’s here,” Zulkifli added half-jokingly, referring to Aziz’s influential role in determining and assessing budget proposals from the government as well as other House bodies. (dic)
