Jakarta – A senior NasDem Party member said on Monday that it would be unethical for the party to ask for cabinet seats from president-elect Prabowo Subianto, given that the party had backed an opposing candidate in February's presidential election.
The party's deputy chairman, Saan Mustafa, said on Monday that it had made no attempt to have its members appointed to positions in Prabowo's incoming administration and that it would not participate in the president-elect's efforts to form a cabinet.
"Once again, this is a matter of decency and ethics, because the NasDem Party was not a supporter in the 2024 presidential election. So if we make a fuss about wanting to join the cabinet, that would be inappropriate," Saan said, as quoted by Antara.
"We should give priority to members of the coalition that supported the Prabowo-Gibran ticket to fill seats in the new cabinet," he added.
Saan maintained, however, that NasDem would not be in the opposition camp and that it would give its full support to the Prabowo administration.
"The party is firm in joining the ruling coalition and will support any programs, policies and decisions from Pak Prabowo," Saan said.
In the Feb. 20 presidential election, the NasDem Party backed the presidential bid of former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan despite political pressure from outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who backed Prabowo in the race.
In the period following the presidential election, NasDem party chairman Surya Paloh softened his party's position and made efforts to reconcile with the ruling coalition.
In August, during a NasDem anniversary event, Prabowo delivered a speech praising Surya for his political acumen.