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Jokowi, Bahlil court Gerindra during Golkar congress
At Golkar congress, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and new party chairman Bahlil Lahadalia woo Gerindra for future relationship under the new administration of president-elect Prabowo Subianto.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo delivers a speech at the closing of an extraordinary national congress of the Golkar Party at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Aug. 21, 2024. The congress, held after the abrupt departure of former chairman Airlangga Hartarto, confirmed Bahlil Lahadalia as its new party chairman for the 2024-2029 period. (Antara Foto/Muhammad Adimaja)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo attended on Wednesday night the Golkar Party's extraordinary national congress, hinting at his closer ties with the country’s second-largest party as well as his established relationship with president-elect Prabowo Subianto.
“If I see a banyan tree, I’m at ease […] Being near a banyan tree, makes us feel calm. Tonight I feel very calm, tonight I also feel more comfortable,” said Jokowi while referring to the party symbol in a speech to close the congress.
Golkar held the extraordinary congress (Munaslub), after the sudden resignation of former chairman Airlangga Hartarto. Speculation is rife that the resignation was linked to Jokowi’s accession to the political party before his term ends. A political vessel is deemed critical for Jokowi to forge ties with the president-elect and his political party, the Gerindra Party.
Prabowo attended but did not make any speech at the congress.
In a bid to strengthen his political position after his presidency, Jokowi is predicted to join Golkar, along with his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
The congress installed Jokowi’s preferred candidate Bahlil Lahadalia, a senior Golkar member and a cabinet minister. Bahlil, who previously served as investment minister, was installed as new party chairman just days after his inauguration as the new energy and mineral resources minister.
Read also: New Golkar leader Bahlil warns not to mess with ‘Javanese king’
