Jakarta –
President Prabowo Subianto jokingly suggested that the PKB party needed continuous monitoring during a recent coalition retreat, a comment quickly dismissed as lighthearted by PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar. This exchange highlights the dynamic within the newly formed coalition as it prepares for upcoming challenges.
A Jocular Remark Sparks Discussion
The comment, made during a closed-door meeting, was quickly downplayed by both parties involved.
Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as Cak Imin, and Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, brushed off Prabowo’s words as a jest. “Yes, joking, joking,” Cak Imin said in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. He explained that Prabowo frequently engages in playful banter with him, describing it as “gojlokan” – a Javanese term for playful teasing.
Prabowo made the remark while addressing attendees at the retreat held at Padepokan Garudayaksa in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java. He had been acknowledging the presence of leaders from various coalition parties when he playfully suggested the need for close observation of PKB.
“But here our coalition is strong, right? There are all the party leaders, right? There are,” Prabowo stated. He then added with a smile, “Is there a PKB chairman? This PKB must be continuously monitored.”
What does this mean for the coalition? While seemingly innocuous, Prabowo’s comment underscores the importance of maintaining unity and trust among the diverse parties within the coalition. The playful nature of the exchange suggests a comfortable rapport, but also a recognition of the need for vigilance.
Cak Imin emphasized that he didn’t take the comment seriously, reiterating Prabowo’s tendency to joke with him. The incident occurred during a briefing session at the Hambalang retreat, where Prabowo inquired about the attendance of PKB’s General Chair, Muhaimin Iskandar.
