Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Plans To Establish Presidential Club For Former Presidents

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, May 3 (Bernama) -- President-elect Prabowo Subianto plans to establish a presidential club aimed at fostering discussions on national issues among former presidents, including Megawati Soekarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and outgoing President Joko Widodo.

According to his spokesperson, Dahnil Anzar, the presidential club will provide a platform for Prabowo and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka to gather insights from past leaders.

"The Presidential Club, though not an official institution, will encourage regular meetings where former presidents can discuss vital national matters, promoting unity and serving as an example," he said as quoted by the news portal investor.id today.

Dahnil pointed out that this initiative underscores the importance of unity despite political differences, particularly following the 2024 Presidential Election.

"Prabowo hopes that as a great nation, its leaders are united, harmonious, and work for the interests of the people, regardless of political differences," he added.

Asked about the plan after visiting the electric vehicle exhibition in Central Jakarta, Jokowi expressed support for Prabowo’s proposal, suggesting that meetings could occur regularly – possibly every two days.

A senior politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Hendrawan Supratikno stressed that Prabowo’s proposal is promising but in need of refinement since he only learned about it.

Speaking to Media Indonesia, he stated: "If it’s just for social gatherings or high-level discussions on the nation’s strategic issues, we need more information."

However, he trusts that Megawati Soekarnoputri, PDIP’s chairwoman and Indonesia’s fifth President, would support initiatives benefiting the nation’s interests.

On April 23, the country’s largest party, PDIP, announced that Jokowi and his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, are no longer members after they supported rival candidate Prabowo in the recent presidential election.

-- BERNAMA