REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Fadli Zon, deputy chairman of Gerindra Party's Executive Board, has lauded the support expressed by several descendants of founders of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, for presidential candidate number 02 Prabowo Subianto. He believed the support could increase votes for Prabowo-Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno pair.
"Ties between Prabowo and prominent ulemas are not new, but they have dated back to tens of years ago," Fadli, concurrently Deputy House Speaker, stated here on Thursday.
Prabowo and his running mate Sandiaga are very pleased with the support of descendants of NU's founders, such as KH Hasyim Asyari, KH Wahab Abdullah, and KH Bisri Syansuri, he noted. The support was conveyed personally at Prabowo's residence in Jakarta on Wednesday evening (Nov 28).
They are influential among the community, particularly in their home towns, Fadli said added.
"Prabowo has sound relations with Nahdliyin (NU members), Muhammadiyah, Persis, Nahdlatul Wathan, and the Indonesian Council for Preaching (DDI)," he remarked.
Tens of grandchildren of the NU's founders who met Subianto included Gus Irfan, a grandson of KH Hasyim Asyari; KH Hasib Wahab, a grandson of KH Wahab Abdullah; and KH Hasyim Karim, a grandson of KH Bisri Syansuri.
"Our last pride is how we focus on overcoming economic problems," said Kiai Hasyim at Prabowo's residence on Jalan Kertanegara, Jakarta, Wednesday (28/11) night.
Kiai Hasyim said that he was proud to see Prabowo as the keynote speaker at The World 2019 Gala Diner held by The Economist in Singapore, on Tuesday (11/27) because through the forum, Prabowo explained the economic program promoted to the CEOs of large companies in the world.
He considered a leader must be clear and convincing when speaking in an international forum and that could be done by Prabowo.
"I hope people can see and judge who really has leadership qualities," he said.
Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday (Nov 28), two descendants of the late general Soedirman, the first Great Commander of Indonesia who had led Indonesians in the fight for the country's independence, declared their support for Prabowo. Nining Tejaningsih Soedirman and Tisa Budiakso Soedirman, granddaughter and great granddaughter of Soedirman, respectively, expressed their support during an event called "Prabowo Greets Yogyakarta People" attended by thousands of volunteers in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.
"Mr Prabowo, lets hold hands to regain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic Indonesia," Budiakso Soedirman remarked.
Prabowo expressed his gratitude for the support of the Great General Soedirman's descendants
"We must fight together. Together, we will materialize Indonesia, which is just and prosperous, for the future of our children and grandchildren," the presidential candidate pointed out.
Indonesia will hold simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on April 17, 2019. The presidential race will be a repeat of the 2014 elections wherein incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Prabowo are set to go head-to-head.
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