Political Science Lecturer from Paramadina University, Ahmad Khoirul Umam, believes that President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s idea of forming a Presidential Club is worthy of appreciation. According to him, the forum can maintain the continuity of strategic programs or policies even though there are differences in political views from previous presidents.
Umam explained, referring to the Presidential Club institutional model in the United States, such an institution might provide several strategic functions. Starting from the president’s informal advisory function to formulate or exchange opinions, provide advice, and discuss strategic issues related to political-government and public policy issues.
“Apart from that, this institution can also encourage collaboration across parties, which are the political power entities of former presidents, to provide technocratic advice to the governing president,” said Umam when contacted, Saturday (4/5).
In this way, the forum can also help maintain continuity, stability and integrity of the presidential institution in the political system in the country.
Prabowo also had good relations with the previous president. For this reason, forming the forum as an institution is very possible.
“Prabowo has no conflict with anyone. Prabowo has good relations with Megawati, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo,” he said.
Also read: PDIP: Prabowo’s idea to form a Presidential Club deserves to be finalized
Nevertheless, Umam believes that this forum can run well or not depending on the maturity of each former president. “What regarding managing egos in a relationship pattern of personal political conflict which is actually unproductive. For the sake of the nation, former presidents should be able to get rid of their egos and personal political interests,” he explained.
Previously, President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s spokesperson, Dahnil Azhar Simanjuntak, expressed Prabowo’s idea regarding forming a presidential club filled with previous Indonesian Presidents who are still alive today.
It is hoped that the former presidents can continue to meet regularly and discuss strategic national issues and be united and harmonious to participate in thinking and working for the interests of the people, regardless of their differences in views or political attitudes.
Dahnil believes that when the time comes, Prabowo will meet President Jokowi, the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri. (Z-11)
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