Adhyasta Dirgantara, Jessi Carina, Jakarta – People's Justice and Prosperity Party (Prima) Chairperson Agus Jabo Priyono has stressed the commitment of his party to support the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
This was stated by Priyono at an event marking the 4th anniversary (Harlah) of the Prima Party in Central Jakarta on Sunday June 1.
"The 2nd Congress only decided two things. First, Prima reaffirms its support, along with wanting to secure the presidential and vice presidential program of Pak [Mr] Prabowo Subianto and Mas [Brother] Gibran, so that the government's programs can quickly enjoyed by the people", said Priyono.
However Priyono stressed that his party had not discussed the 2029 elections, considering that is still some time away. Besides, he said, it was unethical if suddenly someone discussed the elections yet the person is still working for the president.
"This congress only complements the formal requirements that will later be [needed to be] registered with the Ministry of Law. Because there are several Prima Party officials who must pursue state duties so that they cannot carry out party duties", he said.
Priyono also stated that he would immediately compile a number of names for party's management on the Central Leadership Board to be registered with the Ministry of Law.
Minister of State Secretary's jokes
Priyono serves as Deputy Minister of Social Affairs in the Prabowo-Gibran administration. Deputy Minister of State Secretary (Wamensesneg) Juri Ardiantoro also had a chance to make a joke about the Prime Party, whose members hold positions of power in the administration even though they did not participate in the 2024 elections.
The evidence, the party's general chairperson and many sympathisers occupy important positions in Prabowo's Red and White Cabinet.
"The general chairman (Agus Jabo) serves as Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, occupying a government seat. A lot of party sympathisers are in government. There's Bung [Brother] Mugi[yanto] (Deputy Human Rights Minister), Bung [Natalius] Pigai (Minister of Human Rights), Bung Nezar [Patria] (Deputy Minister for Communication and Digital Affairs), Bung Budiman [Sudjatmiko] (head of the Agency for the Acceleration of Poverty Alleviation), Bung Faisol Riza (Deputy Minister for Industry)", said Ardiantoro.
According to Ardiantoro, this phenomenon should be written into the history of Indonesian politics. Because if it follows the existing trend, the capital for parties to gain seats in parliament and even government could make one dizzy. However, Prima was able to gain a position without spending any election capital.
"It turns out that the one in power now is not only Gerindra [Prabowo's Greater Indonesia Movement Party], but also the Prima Party. Maybe if you look at any part of the world, a party that does not participate in elections (but) is also in power, maybe it's only here", he said.
Notes
The Prima Party is the electoral vehicle of the former leftist People's Democratic Party (PRD), although it is unclear if the PRD still exists as an independent organisation. Many of the names mention such as Mugiyanto, Nezar Patria and Faisol Riza were among the 23 pro-democracy activists who were abducted and tortured by the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) in 1997-98 on the orders of then Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto. Thirteen of those abducted remain missing and are presumed dead.
- Understanding Prabowo's cabinet appointment of former PRD leaders. Arah Juang – November 5, 2024
- Ahead of presidential debate, Prabowo gathers victims of 1997-98 abductions. Kompas.com – December 11, 2023
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Partai Prima Kembali Kukuhkan Dukungan untuk Pemerintahan Prabowo-Gibran".]
