TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairman of Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party Prabowo Subianto confirmed to not declare himself as a presidential candidate in the party`s National Coordination Meeting on April 11. According to Prabowo, the meeting aimed for cadre consolidation ahead of 2019 elections.

“No declaration on April 11. [It was for] national meeting, national cadre assembly. It’s clear and internal,” said Prabowo while attending the party’s National Work Meeting for Law and Advocate Division in Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday, April 5.

The coordination meeting, Prabowo explained, will focus on the party’s readiness in facing the legislative election. He planned to announce the requirement and procedure of his cadre candidates to run in the election under Gerindra party. “So, there will be coordination and consolidation,” he stated.

Read: Gerindra PKS Discuss 15 Names for Prabowo`s Running Mate

and: Sandiaga Uno Leads Prabowo`s Candidacy Team

When asked by reporters on his planning of the declaration, the former Commander General of the Special Forces Command answered, “Not yet.” Furthermore, Prabowo remained non-committal to the reason.

Previously, Gerindra announced Prabowo to be a rival of Joko Widodo, an incumbent candidate who was carried out by the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). However, Gerindra has yet declared the candidacy despite 34 region boards of the party proclaimed their support and urged the declaration.

The deputy chairman of Gerindra Sufmi Dasco Ahmad also reluctant to say whether the next meeting will be concluded by a support declaration for Prabowo. “If that so, it means he (Prabowo) agreed to it, so we may declare it at the time. But we cannot say it now. It is a surprise,” he said.

ARKHELAUS WISNU TRIYOGO

