Ade Armando-Grace Case: Ahmad Ali Praises JK as a Mature Figure
Daily Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Ahmad Ali has spoken out regarding his relationship with Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) in the wake of the legal case ensnaring the party’s Board of Trustees Secretary, Grace Natalie, and former party cadre, Ade Armando.
Grace was previously reported after accusing JK of blaspheming religion in his lecture at UGM, Yogyakarta, some time ago. Not only Grace, but accusations were also levelled by Ade Armando and Permadi Arya, which have now resulted in reports against all three.
However, Ade has recently announced his resignation as a PSI cadre following being reported.
Nevertheless, Ali believes that the legal case involving his two party colleagues will not disrupt his personal relationship with JK. According to him, JK is a mature figure.
“I think Mr JK is very mature, so it will not disrupt the personal relationship between me and Mr JK,” he said when contacted on Thursday (7/5).
Ali acknowledged that he indeed has a close relationship with JK. He said he regards JK as a brother as well as a parent. A brother because JK is a senior in Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam (HMI), and a parent in Dewan Masjid Indonesia (DMI).
Ali said that he currently holds the position of Chairman of DMI South Sulawesi, while JK is the General Chairman of DMI.
“In a doorstop a few days ago, I said Mr JK is my brother, my parent. My brother in HMI, my parent in Dewan Masjid,” Ali stated.
Therefore, he said that this close relationship would actually help resolve the legal case involving Grace through mediation and in a familial manner. Ali claimed to have communicated with people close to JK, and both parties, according to him, have the desire for the case to be settled in a familial way.
“This relationship will actually make it easier for us to build communication with Mr JK. I could become an intermediary, a bridge to Mr JK for communication,” he said.
Previously, Ali stated that his party would not provide legal assistance to PSI Board of Trustees Secretary Grace Natalie after she was reported in the incitement and hate speech case at Bareskrim Polri.
Ali emphasised that Grace’s actions or statements in the case were outside of party duties, i.e., personal motives.
“So institutionally, we ensure that we will not provide legal assistance on behalf of the party institution because these are matters that must be accounted for personally,” Ali said at the PSI Central Executive Board office on Tuesday (5/5).