Gerindra on Prabowo Saluting Jokowi: A Good and Warm Relationship

Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Commission VI from the Gerindra faction, Andre Rosiade, stated that President Prabowo Subianto and the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), share a good and warm relationship. This statement was made in response to Prabowo’s gesture of saluting Jokowi during the Bhayangkara Day ceremony at the Brimob Training Centre in Cikeas, West Java, on Wednesday (1/7).

"The relationship between the Gerindra Party and Mr Prabowo with Mr Jokowi is very good and warm. And it is proven, the public could watch directly how warm Mr Prabowo was with Mr Jokowi at the National Police anniversary on 1 July," Andre told reporters in the Alam Sutera area, Serpong, South Tangerang, on Saturday (4/7).

The Chairman of Gerindra’s West Sumatra Regional Executive Board also noted that Jokowi has a good relationship with the Gerindra Party. He even mentioned that Jokowi often sends his regards to President Prabowo and other senior Gerindra Party officials.

"I witnessed it directly and I have also met Mr Jokowi by chance several times. For instance, at the football field, as it happens I support Semen Padang, and Mr Jokowi supports Persis Solo," Andre said. "So, I see that every time they meet, Mr Jokowi is very warm and sends his regards to Mr Prabowo, and regards to Mr Dasco. This shows that the relationship between the Gerindra Party, Mr Prabowo, and Mr Jokowi is very good," he continued.

On that occasion, Andre also dismissed rumours of a rift between the two leaders. He confirmed there is no such thing as a hot-and-cold relationship between Prabowo and Jokowi. "In my opinion, we should not listen to baseless rumours that are untrue," he said.

Previously, Prabowo saluted Jokowi while attending the Bhayangkara Day ceremony at the Brimob Training Centre in Cikeas, West Java, on Wednesday (1/7). Upon arriving at the ceremony venue, Prabowo shook hands one by one with the invited guests present. Attendees included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani; Attorney General ST Burhanuddin; the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla; and members of the Red and White Cabinet. When he was about to shake hands with Jokowi, Prabowo first offered a salute, which was then reciprocated by Jokowi. Only after that did Prabowo shake Jokowi’s hand.