Prabowo Jabs at Cak Imin's Political Stance: Once Apart, Now Together

President Prabowo Subianto touched on the political stance of Muhaimin Iskandar, or Cak Imin, chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), who was once his rival but is now together with him in government.

He made the remarks while delivering a speech at the commemoration of the 79th National Cooperatives Day in Jakarta on Sunday (12 July).

Initially, he said competition in political contests is a normal thing, adding that all parties must be able to accept the results of political contests.

“Competition is good. Matches are good, aren’t they? In football there are matches, there are two sides. One must win. If one loses, should the referee be beaten? No, competition is normal,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo cited his relationship with Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as Gus Imin, who once parted ways with him politically.

“This is Gus Imin, first he was with me, then he was not with me. But there was no problem, because in his heart, he too wants what is best for Indonesia,” Prabowo said.

Now, he said, Gus Imin is together with him in government.

“Now he is with me, for Indonesia, my friends. There is no problem. Who else once defeated me? I need to put on these glasses. No problem,” he said.

Prabowo said every party that competes must work together once the political contest is over.

“We are one nation, one homeland, one language, we are one family. Let us prove that the Indonesian nation is a distinctive nation, a united nation. We compete, then we unite to work for all the people. This is the Indonesian nation,” he said.