Faiz Zaki, M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo met with six chairpersons of political parties at the State Palace on Tuesday, May 2. A political observer from Al-Azhar University, Ujang Komarudin, said the meeting was prone to criticism as it was held at the State Palace ahead of the 2024 elections.
"It is better to avoid controversy and debate, so avoid meeting activities at the Palace, it is better to do it outside the Palace," Ujang said on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
According to him, the meeting could indeed trigger the public to speculate about the political conditions, moreover, discussions on coalitions and presidential candidates are getting hotter. It could be assumed that the meeting was related to the preparation of the coalition for the 2024 elections.
The President's meetings with political figures were actually legitimate at the State Palace as long as it is purely about the interests of the nation and state, rather than the political interests of certain groups.
"The people have the right to ask questions, the opposition parties also have the right to criticize," Ujang argued.
At the meeting two days ago, of all the political parties supporting the government, only the NasDem Party was absent as it was not invited.
The figures present were Golkar Chair Airlangga Hartarto, Gerindra Chair Prabowo Subianto, PDIP Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri, the United Development Party (PPP) Chair Muhammad Mardiono, the National Mandate Party (PAN) Chair Zulkifli Hasan, and the National Awakening Party (PKB) Chair Muhaimin Iskandar.
According to Airlangga Hartarto, they met Jokowi for two hours to discuss the interests of the nation and state. "We discussed the challenges of development achievements and challenges ahead."
Andi Arief, head of the opposition party Democrat's election campaign, considered the meeting unethical. He opined that the State Palace should be used for the president's work and state interests. "This hurts the hearts of the people," he said on Wednesday, May 3.