Gerindra Reminds AHY to Focus on Work: The Election Is Still Far Off
The Central Leadership Board (DPP) of the Gerindra Party has spoken out regarding the speech by Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), which touched on elections at the Democrats’ 25th anniversary event on Saturday (5/9).
Gerindra Party Spokesperson Sugiat Santoso assessed that the 2029 election is still far away, particularly as AHY and the Democrats remain part of the ruling coalition.
“I hope each of us simply focuses on completing the work entrusted to us, both in the legislature and the executive. As for the election, it is still a long way off,” said Sugiat when contacted on Monday (7/9).
“Moreover, the Democrats and Mas AHY are part of the government,” he added.
Sugiat expressed hope that all parties would currently focus on helping the government of President Prabowo Subianto resolve the people’s problems. He wants every issue faced by the public to be tackled together.
Moreover, according to Sugiat, Prabowo has never discussed electoral matters within Gerindra itself, as he believes real work among the people will ultimately help the party electorally.
“I am confident and believe that whichever party succeeds in resolving the people’s problems will automatically see its electoral standing rise — there is no need to worry about that,” he said.
In his speech at the Democratic Party’s DPP office, AHY raised a number of election-related issues. He asked all cadres, whether in the executive, legislative, or regional government, to remain sensitive and honest about the realities experienced by the people on the ground.
He also touched on the importance of professionalism and neutrality for all state instruments and apparatus, especially during elections. According to AHY, one of the important mandates of the reform era is ensuring that the TNI, Polri, intelligence services, law enforcement, civil state apparatus (ASN), and the entire state apparatus stand above all groups and do not take sides in practical politics.
“We ought to learn from the ten years of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration, including when the transfer of power took place peacefully and democratically after two terms. Power is not someone’s possession forever. Power is a mandate from the people that has a time limit,” he said.
Gestures of a challenger
Responding to this, Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party Ahmad Doli Kurnia believes that Democratic Party Chairman AHY will be a contestant in the upcoming presidential election.
He fully agreed with AHY’s statement in his speech regarding power as a mandate with a time limit.
“However, judging from the tone of delivery, gestures, and standing position, AHY appears to be giving a strong signal that he is ready to become one of the contenders in the upcoming presidential election,” said Doli when contacted on Monday (7/9).