Ima Dini Shafira, Jakarta – NasDem Party deputy chair Ahmad Ali asserted that there was no ulterior motive in Anies Baswedan's meeting with Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the two are friends.

According to Ali, both cannot influence each other. "Gibran is still a PDIP cadre. So when Anies met Gibran, it was impossible for Anies to influence Gibran and vice versa. In friendship, there is no specific purpose," said Ali to Tempo on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

This spirit of togetherness, he underlined, should continue to be encouraged so life is not always decorated with politics of anger and hatred. Ali said this is what his party wanted to resurrect.

The meeting between the former Jakarta governor and President Jokowi's son in Solo was marked by moments of exchanging compliments. Ali hoped that it could be a coolant in Indonesian politics.

"Mas Gibran honestly admits that Anies in Jakarta is a role model for transportation development in Solo. Then Anies as the older and has more experience transferred his knowledge when building Jakarta. This is a good thing. If politics continues to lead to hatred, this nation will be harmed," he said.

Ali also said the meeting showed politeness in friendship and maturity in politics. "We know that lately, Jakarta's political contestation has been heating up. Each stands at its own pole, ignoring hospitality which is Indonesian culture. It was broken by Anies and Gibran in Solo. That's an example for the elders to be embarrassed," he continued.

On Tuesday, Anies Baswedan visited Solo to attend Habib Ali bin Muhammad Al-Habsyi's 111th birthday. On this occasion, Anies also met with Gibran and had breakfast together at Novotel Solo Hotel.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1657478/nasdem-denies-ulterior-motive-in-anies-baswedan-gibran-meeting