In Response to AHY's Statement, Gerindra Affirms Focus on Safeguarding President Prabowo's Priority Programmes

Partai Gerindra spokesman Bahtra Banong has affirmed that his party remains focused on safeguarding President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programmes rather than becoming embroiled in political discourse and preparations for an electoral contest still considered a long way off. Bahtra made the remarks in response to a statement by Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) that power is not possessed by anyone forever.

Bahtra said Gerindra respects every development and view expressed by political parties, whether those outside the coalition or fellow members of the Red-and-White Cabinet coalition.

“We appreciate and respect every party’s opinion. However, we in Partai Gerindra are currently focused on continuing to safeguard President Prabowo’s priority programmes, because the campaign promises made during the last presidential election must be fulfilled so that their benefits can be felt by all levels of society,” said Bahtra at the Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (8/9).

Regarding the manoeuvres and discourse on political contests being sounded out by various parties, Bahtra emphasised that every party possesses independent sovereignty. He said his party is not in a position to restrict the room for movement of any party.

“We give leeway to parties that have hopes of contesting in the future. Every party has its own freedom and we cannot stand in the way. But our focus in Gerindra remains on working for the people’s interests, because the election is still far away,” he asserted.

Earlier, Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) asserted that power is not something possessed by a person forever. According to him, power is a mandate from the people that has a time limit. AHY made the statement in a speech marking the 25th anniversary of the Democratic Party at its central executive board office in Jakarta on Saturday (5/9).

“Power does not belong to anyone forever. Power is a mandate from the people that has a time limit,” said AHY.

AHY reminded that power and office have time limits, whilst responsibility to the people never ends. “Democratic fighters across the nation, power comes and goes. Office has its time. Elections have their cycle. But responsibility to the people is never finished,” he said.