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Airlangga-Paloh-Kalla meeting sparks speculation of shifting alliance
The speculations intensified on Tuesday after a Golkar executive revealed that during the meeting Airlangga was advised by former vice president Jusuf Kalla, who led Golkar between 2004 and 2009, to join the KPP, which is nominating former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan for the 2024 presidential race.
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Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto attends the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok on November 19, 2022.
(AFP/Jack Taylor)
An iftar gathering between Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto and leaders of the Coalition for Change and Unity (KPP) over the weekend has sparked speculations of a potential shift in the grand old party’s strategy for the 2024 general elections.
The speculations intensified on Tuesday after a Golkar executive revealed that during the meeting Airlangga was advised by former vice president Jusuf Kalla, who led Golkar between 2004 and 2009, to join the KPP, which is nominating former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan for the 2024 presidential race.
While it is no surprise for Kalla to give such an advice, for he is known as a long-time supporter of Anies, Airlangga’s presence at the political gathering, which was attended by all the political leaders from the KPP alliance, was symbolic. He was seen sitting with Kalla, Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) secretary-general Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi, after which he held a closed door meeting with NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh, who once served as Golkar’s chief patron.
Golkar executive Ahmad Doli Kurnia said the suggestion for Golkar to join the KPP popped up during the meeting between Kalla and the KPP leaders. Though Doli said that the final say on the party’s political direction rested with the party’s members. “Of course, our seniors have their own views and suggestions, all of which will be discussed in the party’s official meeting, whether among central board executives or leaderships of party’s councils,” he said.
Golkar reunion
Speaking to reporters after the event on Saturday, Airlangga described the meeting as akin to a reunion with a number of senior figures who were once Golkar members, saying that he was open to the possibility of working with NasDem, given the close ties between the two party's senior politicians
"We're very close because Pak Surya Paloh was once chairman of Golkar's advisory board during the leadership of Pak Jusuf Kalla, who was also the country's 10th and 12th vice president," Airlangga told a press briefing.
