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Calls to oust NasDem from ruling coalition intensify
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Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan (left) and NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh (right) speak to reporters at the NasDem Party headquarters in Central Jakarta in this undated photo. (kompas.com/Ryana Aryadita Umasugi)
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alls to oust the NasDem Party from the ruling government coalition have intensified after it officially backed Anies Baswedan – who ended his Jakarta governor term on Oct. 16 – in the 2024 presidential race.
“There are those urging us to ask President [Joko “Jokowi” Widodo] to remove NasDem from the government coalition," NasDem chairman Surya Paloh said in his speech on Monday. “As party chairman, I have to say, this is where I can see which friends are mature and which are still childish,” he added.
Surya stressed his party’s undeterred commitment to Jokowi when the latter decided to raise fuel prices to rein in ballooning subsidies despite the risk of triggering waves of mass protest, claiming that NasDem was the only coalition member supporting the decision.
"I jokingly said to Jokowi when we had our lunch together, ‘Pak President, we have seven factions in the government coalition. Six disagree, only one faction agrees. This is either the stupidest or the most loyal faction’," said Surya.
Speaking before NasDem's central board and regional branches leadership, Surya called on them to remain committed to supporting Jokowi’s administration and prepare to win the 2024 election.
“Respect the competition,” Surya said. ”Even up until the 2024 election, we will not change [our stance]. So if there are those tempting us to do so, let them […] Our good intentions are non-negotiable.”
Tension within the ruling coalition has brewed after NasDem officially announced earlier this month that they were nominating Anies as their candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
