Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto introduced several high-profile members to the party’s ranks this week, including Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chief Mochamad “Iwan Bule” Iriawan, as politicians shift gears to determine the line-up for next year’s general election.

In a press conference at his South Jakarta residence on Thursday evening, Prabowo announced that the retired police general would serve as deputy chairman of the party’s advisory council, a position previously held by Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, a former sponsor of the Gerindra patron who recently left the party for the United Development Party (PPP).

Prabowo declined to mention Sandiaga by name, saying, “We appointed Pak Mochamad Iriawan to fill a vacant position. There are vacancies from those who passed away and one from someone who moved to another party. I’m sure you know who recently moved.”

In his first public address as a Gerindra member, Iriawan lauded what he said was Prabowo’s patriotism and the tireless work he had put in to ensure the party moved forward.

“We know that Gerindra has kept improving over the years, meaning that the management is good. I also admire Prabowo Subianto as the party’s chairman,” he said.

The announcement marked the end of a months-long public courtship of Sandiaga by acting PPP chairman M. Mardiono, who has repeatedly hinted at the move but insisted on Thursday that the party would wait until the businessman-turned-politician had tied up all loose ends before making any definitive announcement.

Sandiaga was Prabowo’s running mate in the 2019 election, but while the pair lost to the Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Ma’ruf Amin ticket, both figures secured ministerial posts after Gerindra joined the ruling coalition.

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