Zunita Putri, Jakarta – Prabowo Subianto’s Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) has welcomed a suggestion by the Islamic based Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) for next year’s 212 reunion to be held at the State Palace.
Gerindra is also proposing that the date December 2 become a “day of solidarity”.
“What do we mean by next year? If necessary, we will turn the 212 [reunion] into a day of solidarity, we will make the commemoration of December 2 a day of solidarity”, said Gerindra Deputy Chairperson and House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon at the South Jakarta district court on Jl. Ampera on Monday December 17.
Zon believes that never in Indonesia’s history has there been an event like the 212 reunion which took place at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on December 2. Because of this, he believes that it is appropriate for the date to become a national holiday (hari besar), a day of solidarity.
“It was an event that has no president in the history of the Republic of Indonesia. Even during the era before Indonesia became independent, never have so many people gathered together. So this is a very big event, there has never been an example of an event such as this”, he said.
“And it was a gathering of millions of people in one place at the same time, of brotherhood, proceeding peacefully, there wasn’t any rubbish [200 tons according to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan], even the grass wasn’t damaged. I think it was great, it was a huge event right”, he added.
Earlier, PKS Secretary General Mustafa Kamal spoke about the 212 action at the Gerindra Party’s National Conference at the Sentul Convention Center in Bogor, West Java, on Monday December 17.
Kamal said that if Prabowo and vice presidential running mate Sandiaga Uno win the 2019 presidential election, they will give permission for the next 212 reunion to be held at the State Palace.
Kamal then asked the Gerindra cadres, volunteers and sympathisers present whether they wanted the next 212 reunion to be held at the Palace. If they do, added Kamal, he asked them to work to ensure a victory for Prabowo and Sandiaga.
“Do we all want next year’s 212 to be held on the Palace grounds? Are you read? Ready, Allahu Akbar [God is Great]”, said Kamal during his speech.
“Of course we must ensure victory for the Prabowo-Sandi Number 2 presidential ticket first so we can obtain a permit, not just for Monas, but also on the Palace grounds”, added Kamal. (zap/fdn)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Fadli Zon: Kalau Perlu 212 Kita Jadikan Hari Persaudaraan”.]
Source: https://news.detik.com/berita/4347973/fadli-zon-kalau-perlu-212-kita-jadikan-hari-persaudaraan
