Pramono Anung and Cak Imin reminisce about friendship at PKB event

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung and Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), fondly recalled their friendship during the inauguration of 19,675 PKB branch executive board members in Jakarta on Wednesday evening. “Cak Imin and I, back when he was still called Cak Imin, not yet Chairman, were often together in various discussion forums during the 1998 student movement,” Pramono said. He then admitted to following Cak Imin’s political journey and praised his tenacity in leading PKB since 2005. “Back then, seeing Cak Imin, you would really feel sorry for him, but he was the one who persistently built this party, and now it is at its peak with 68 seats in the DPR,” he added. The former Cabinet Secretary also recalled PKB’s role in nominating PDI Perjuangan Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri as vice president. “Ibu Mega became vice president because PKB nominated her, 100 percent PKB. At that time, PDIP did not put her forward, but PKB did. I am telling you this because I am sure some of you may not know this history,” he said. Meanwhile, Cak Imin described Pramono Anung as an old friend and former fellow member of the House of Representatives. He also noted that Pramono was pleased that PKB used Taman Fatahillah as the venue for the swearing-in of thousands of branch executives. “Mas Pram is an old friend who, Alhamdulillah, eventually became Governor, and he is very happy that we are enlivening Taman Fatahillah while reminiscing about our time together in parliament,” the former Deputy Speaker of the House said.