Deputy Chairman: No Discussions on Merger Within NasDem

Jakarta (ANTARA) - NasDem Party Deputy Chairman Saan Mustopa stated that there have been no in-depth discussions regarding the idea of a merger or fusion with other parties within the NasDem Party.

Saan, at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, said that the NasDem Party’s current focus is on consolidation and building the party structure, both at the national and regional levels.

“We are intensifying consolidation and the formation of party structures down to the branch leadership council (DPRt) level. That is our focus today. So, regarding the fusion idea, it has not yet become a topic of deeper discussion internally,” he said.

According to him, the idea of party fusion or merger is a normal matter.

Saan added that political party mergers have occurred in Indonesia in 1973.

“We had a fusion back in 73, where from several parties it became three parties. And as an idea, as a concept, it is certainly considered or thought about as a normal thing,” he said.

“Because building or establishing a party, the respective founders certainly have idealism, ideas, concepts, ideologies in different contexts,” he stated.

On the other hand, Saan admitted he does not know exactly about the meeting between NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh and Indonesian President and Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto some time ago, which was said to discuss the merger idea.

“I do not know exactly about that meeting, let alone the substance of what was discussed in that meeting,” Saan said.

According to him, the meeting between Surya Paloh and Prabowo could be because NasDem is part of the government coalition parties. In every political step, NasDem strives to ensure that government priority programmes run well.

“Because of that, to maximise NasDem’s support for the government, communication in the form of maintaining relations or meetings is a common practice between coalition party leaders and the President,” he said.