President Jokowi Receives GP Ansor Leaders at Merdeka Palace

Chairman of GP Ansor Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, accompanied by the leaders of GP Ansor, meets with President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (11/1). Photo by: Rahmat/PR.

The leaders of GP Ansor, a youth wing of the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia Nahdlatul Ulama, met with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (11/1).

After the meeting, chairman of GP Ansor Yaqut Cholil Qoumas told the journalists that during the meeting they discussed the current situation of the country prior to 2019 Presidential Election and discussed the reports from 34 GP Ansor regional leaders regarding the situation in their respective regions.

“The first (thing we discussed) is related to political change, political situation. The second is related to consolidated radical groups prior to the Presidential Election,” Yaqut explained, adding that the radical groups can be found in many regions of Indonesia, including West Java or outside Java island.

Yaqut went on to say that the radical groups aim to establish an Islamic state or Khilafah Islamiyah or to apply sharia law in Indonesia.

He further said that during the meeting President Jokowi reminded the participants that diversity is a Sunnatullah, something that cannot be denied.

Yaqut also said that GP Ansor is always ready to help the Government in the fight against radical groups. He added that in accordance with the 1926 khittah of the Nahdlatul Ulama, GP Ansor as an institution does not get involved in politics.

“However, as individuals we are free and we, the Ansor leaders, have agreed to support the best candidate,” Yaqut said.

Also present during the event were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno and Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko. (DID/RAH/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Mia Medyana