Surabaya, CNN Indonesia —
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a closed meeting with the elderly kiai Of Chief Executive Nahdlatoul Ulama (HBNO) or the first PBNU office which is now the Surabaya City PCNU Office, Sunday (22/10).
The meeting took place after Jokowi attended the Santri Day Ceremony at the Heroes’ Monument and the Inauguration of the Pagar Nusa Central Leadership (PP) at the Bumi Moro Navy Stadium, Surabaya.
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Jokowi arrived at HBNO at 09.23 WIB. Then together with around 20 senior NU kiai, Jokowi held a closed meeting until 10.30 WIB.
PBNU Chairman H Umarsyah said that the meeting between Jokowi and the elderly kiai was just a friendship. He claims not to discuss practical politics.
“Practical political issues were not touched on. There was nothing specifically discussed except friendship, and the discussion was closed,” said Umarsyah when giving a statement to journalists after President Jokowi left HBNO.
Umarsyah stated that Jokowi said he was happy because he could fulfill the wishes of students in Indonesia. According to him, since the issuance of Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 22 of 2015, this is the first time Jokowi has had the opportunity to celebrate Santri Day 2023 with the santri and kiai.
“But as a friendly forum, of course the content is to give messages to each other. [Kiai sepuh berharap Presiden Jokowi] can complete the development plans that have been determined. That’s the hope,” he said.
Umarsyah also said that the meeting between Jokowi and the senior NU kiai was warm and full of joy.
“It’s normal for NU to meet, especially since the agenda is friendship, of course gurgle not commotion,” he said.
Umarsyah reiterated that the meeting did not touch on practical political issues at all, so no political statements needed to be made.
He only revealed that the kiai were indeed happy because there were many NU cadres who were running in the 2024 election and presidential election, even though PBNU institutionally could not be involved in practical politics.
“We are happy that many NU cadres are running in the presidential election. But we are not saying we support them,” he said.
Some of the kiai who attended the meeting were Katib ‘Aam PBNU KH Akhmad Said Asrori, Deputy Rais ‘Aam PBNU Anwar Iskandar, Mustasyar PBNU KH Anwar Manshur, Nyai Hj Mahfudhoh Aly Ubaid, and Rais Syuriah PWNU Central Java KH Ubaidillah Shodaqoh.
A number of PBNU officials also attended this meeting. Among them are PBNU Chairman Gus Yahya, PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf, PBNU Deputy Chairman H Amin Said Husni, and PBNU Chairman KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz.
Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is predicted to be the vice presidential candidate for Gerindra Chairman Prabowo Subianto. Golkar has even nominated Gibran as Prabowo’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
Prabowo admitted that he had communicated with Jokowi regarding plans to propose to Gibran as vice presidential candidate. According to Prabowo, Jokowi completely handed over to Gibran regarding this vice presidential offer.
“And he (Jokowi) said it was up to Mr. Wali (Gibran), he’s already an adult. If Mr. Wali is willing then he will definitely not hold back (himself), something like that,” said Prabowo.
(frd/from)
[Gambas:Video CNN]
2023-10-22 08:45:00
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