TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto admitted to learning politics from the 7th President of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when delivering a speech at the 18th Congress of Muslimat Nahdlatul Ulama in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Initially, Prabowo mentioned that he was not very close to the elected East Java Governor, Khofifah Indar Parawansa. He claimed to have only met Khofifah before the 2024 presidential election.
"It was Pak Jokowi who asked me to meet Mrs. Khofifah. Yes, indeed. So, when it comes to politics, I learned from Pak Jokowi. There's no need to be shy, right?" Prabowo said, as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat.
However, Prabowo is puzzled that the former President Jokowi is still being disparaged after stepping down from office. He mentioned that there are parties trying to drive a wedge between him and Jokowi. He pleaded not to be divided as done by the Dutch colonial through divide et impera.
"Sometimes, when someone no longer holds power, they are being ridiculed. Let's not participate in wrecking the unity. It is the activity of those who do not love Indonesia," he said.
Prabowo then praised Khofifah, stating that after meeting her in person, he concluded that Khofifah is an extraordinary figure and referred to her as a leader of the people.
"This (Khofifah) is an extraordinary leader. Luckily, she supported me back then," Prabowo said, welcomed by the audience.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa joined the National Campaign Team (TKN) of Prabowo-Gibran as a member of the TKN Board of Trustees.
The Muslimat NU Congress was attended by President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The event was opened by a speech from Khofifah, who is also the Chair of the Central Board of Muslimat Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
In addition, the event was also attended by Rais Aam of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Miftachul Akhyar, the General Chairman of PBNU Yahya Cholil Staquf, and the Secretary General of PBNU Saifullah Yusuf.
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