Crescent Star Party confirms support for Prabowo Subianto in 2024 Presidential Election

INDONESIA: The Secretary-General of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), Afriansyah Noor, has reaffirmed his party’s commitment to supporting Prabowo Subianto, the Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), as a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.

The declaration of support is scheduled to take place on this coming Sunday (30 Jul) at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD, coinciding with the celebration of PBB’s 25th anniversary, which fell on 17 July.

Afriansyah stated that the event is expected to be attended by the Chairpersons of the Regional Executive Boards (DPW) of PBB from all over Indonesia, with 38 DPWs in attendance, especially from Banten, DKI Jakarta, and West Java regions, known collectively as Jabodetabek.

The meeting with the Gerindra Central Board on that day will serve as a pre-declaration meeting, ensuring that the public is informed in advance of PBB’s decision to endorse Prabowo Subianto as their presidential candidate for 2024.

“We want to inform our friends and the people of Indonesia that PBB will extend its support to Mr. Prabowo Subianto,” Afriansyah expressed to reporters at the PBB Central Office in Pasar Minggu, Jakarta, on Monday (24 Jul).

Afriansyah explained that Prabowo Subianto is seen as a figure capable of continuing the programs initiated during the presidency of Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

He emphasized that this endorsement signifies the continuation of these programs and that Prabowo and Jokowi are maintaining an intense level of communication as ministers in the current cabinet.

PBB’s decision to back Prabowo Subianto is based on his responsible performance as Minister of Defense and his leadership role in Gerindra. Afriansyah believes that Prabowo’s position as a party leader grants him a stronger capacity to make the country a better place.

“This means that important policies must be geared towards prioritizing the welfare and development of Indonesia,” he explained.

Furthermore, Afriansyah revealed that he had spoken with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) about his party’s endorsement of Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 Presidential Election. According to Afriansyah, Jokowi responded with a smile, interpreting the smile as a meaningful gesture.

“He replied with sweet smiles. So, Jokowi just smiled, but that smile holds significance. InshaAllah (God willing), our support for Mr. Prabowo will be endorsed by Jokowi as the candidate for the President of Indonesia,” Afriansyah said.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the Chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB)

He also assured that PBB’s support for Prabowo Subianto as a presidential candidate is absolute and without conditions.

However, when asked about the potential candidate for the vice president to accompany Prabowo, Afriansyah named PBB’s own Chairman, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, as their best candidate.

Afriansyah quoted President Jokowi’s past statement, where he mentioned that he is ready to support Yusril if there is a formidable coalition with at least 20 percent of the votes, meeting the minimum threshold for presidential candidacy.

“Our hope is, as members of the party, to propose Mr. Yusril as the vice-presidential candidate,” Afriansyah added.

Nonetheless, Afriansyah acknowledged that PBB understands the current political agreements between Gerindra and the National Awakening Party (PKB), and he respects that the mechanism for selecting a vice-presidential candidate will be decided by these two parties.