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Rais Aam considered right figure for Jokowi in 2019 presidential elections

Rabu, 15 Agustus 2018 | 06:55 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
The incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said KH Ma’ruf Amin, popularly known as Kiai Ma'ruf, is the right figure to accompany him in the 2019 presidential election, republika.co.id reported.

“Prof KH Ma’ruf is the right figure to accompany me, to continue the struggle,” Jokowi told reporters here recently.

According to Jokowi, Kiai Ma'ruf is a wise and respected ulema of all Muslims in Indonesia. In addition, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) supreme leader (Rais Aam) is also considered as a figure who has a strong track record.

“He has long experience at the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and is now the chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), so it means he has a complete track record and experiences," Jokowi explained.

Jokowi said he and Kiai Ma’ruf have the same view, such as in overcoming the problem of poverty and the economic gap by strengthening the Indonesian economy. As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, he asserted that the problems must be solved.

“When Kiai Ma’ruf becomes professor,  his inauguration speech was related to the Indonesia's new economic flow. This means that he is very knowledgeable about economy," Jokowi added.

Furthermore, Jokowi promised he and Kiai Ma’ruf will bring Indonesia forward and independent. He expected all Indonesian people could feel the independence that has been achieved. Both of them also vowed to bring social justice, leveling equitable development, safeguarding sovereignty and natural resource wealth.

“Rokan bloc, Mahakam bloc, and majority of Freeport shares are proof that we are sovereign and as much as possible for the prosperity for Indonesian people," Jokowi said.

Jokowi stressed, the efforts made by the government so far are evidence that government has done good work for Indonesia. He said what his cabinet did was real, not fiction.

“This is the foundation that is built that needs to be continued," Jokowi concluded. (Masdar)