PAN Explains Amien Rais' Praise for President-Elect Jokowi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Mandate Party (PAN) Deputy Bara Hasibuan said that Amien Rais recent tendency to soften up to president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is a gesture that should be appreciated.

“Isn’t that how it should be? The losing party to give a chance to the winner,” Bara said today at the Senayan parliamentary complex.

Amien Rais is known to be one of Jokowi’s strongest criticizers during his first term in office.  The PAN Chairman had even praised the president as a person who understands democracy. “Pak Jokowi understands democracy,” said Amien on Monday,

Asked whether this is a sign of Amin Rais’ openness toward political rivals or PAN’s possible move to join the government, Bara did not provide a straight answer.

“Well, I don’t know, but it should be like that in a democratic system adopted by world countries,” said Bara.

Bara maintained that Amien Rais’ statement should be appreciated and shows that Indonesia’s democracy is maturing.

Up to this day, PAN has yet decided to stay as an opposition party or to join the government’s coalition. However, Bara signaled that aspirations and supports from regional members suggest the latter option to be the party’s future.

DEWI NURITA