NasDem Responds to Rumours of Merger with Gerindra
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy General Chairman of the NasDem Party’s Central Executive Board, Saan Mustopa, responded to rumours of his party’s merger with Gerindra Party by stating that party amalgamation is a normal aspect of the national political landscape.
“This is new to me too, I’m surprised, yes, that the issue of fusion has emerged. In political terms, it’s fusion, right, not merger. Not acquisition, but fusion, Gerindra-NasDem,” Saan said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday.
According to him, as a discourse, party fusion or amalgamation is entirely ordinary.
“We had fusions back in ’73 too. From numerous parties becoming three. And as an idea, as a concept, it’s certainly something to be considered or thought about, which is normal,” he stated.
He added that realising such a fusion discourse would require considerations regarding the identity and existence of the parties. This is because when a party is founded, its founders have varying ideologies.
“For instance, if there’s a plan or discourse about fusion, that factor must also be considered. Ideology, identity, existence of each party with the spirit, motivation, and philosophy of building each respective party,” he said.
“So, once again, as an idea or discourse, or concept, it’s perfectly normal, but when we want to realise it, many things must be considered, discussed, and planned,” he added.
However, Saan mentioned that there have been no specific internal discussions within NasDem Party regarding the fusion discourse.
“Because we’re currently still focused on consolidating our internals,” he said.
On the other hand, he claimed not to know the details of the meeting between NasDem General Chairman Surya Paloh and Indonesian President as well as Gerindra General Chairman Prabowo Subianto some time ago, which was said to have discussed the merger discourse.
“I don’t know precisely about the meeting, let alone the substance of what was discussed in that meeting,” Saan stated.
According to him, the meeting between Surya and Prabowo occurred because NasDem is part of the government coalition parties. In every political step, he said, NasDem strives to ensure that the government’s priority programmes run well.
“Therefore, 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.