Jakarta (ANTARA) - National Mandate Party (PAN) leader Zulkifli Hasan said he welcomed former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan's endeavor to seek out opportunities to meet President-elect Prabowo Subianto.
"The practice of extending 'silaturahmi' (communal bonds) with anybody is good," he said in response to journalists' question on Anies' willingness to meet Prabowo prior to regional elections in November 2024.
The media workers who met Hasan on the sidelines of a book-launching event to mark Theo Sambuaga's 75th birthday here Saturday (June 22) also asked whether PAN would likely nominate Anies as its Jakarta gubernatorial candidate.
Hasan diplomatically responded that his party has yet to discuss that matter. He, however, emphasized that in the beginning, PAN tended to propose the name of former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil for the Jakarta gubernatorial seat. On Friday (June 21), Anies, who lost Indonesia's recent presidential race but is seeking reelection in Jakarta, had sent a clear signal to meet Prabowo.
"We meet all (figures), and we are pleased to have the opportunity to discuss and exchange views with them," Anies said, adding that having dialogue with them is necessary for regional development.
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Regarding the upcoming regional elections, he said he continues his efforts to communicate with various political parties, including the Prabowo-led Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra).
"We all want Jakarta to keep developing and moving forward, and all Jakartans are happy. This is, apparently, not just the aspiration of one or two parties but it is the wish of all parties," he said.
Therefore, he continued to communicate with all figures, he added.
PAN leader says he welcomes Anies' willingness to meet Prabowo
Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya
