PDIP‘s Guntur Romli Clashes with Golkar‘s Bahlil Lahadalia Over Jokowi’s Third Term
In a heated exchange, PDIP spokesman Guntur Romli has criticized Golkar’s chairman Bahlil Lahadalia for defending President Joko Widodo ("Jokowi") against claims of a third term. Guntur, in a tell-all interview, labeled Bahlil’s defense as "illogical and laughable."
"Bahlil’s defense is illogical. First, the discussion about a third term wasn’t just Bahlil’s idea; it was floated by several party chairs like Airlangga, Muhaimin Iskandar, Zulkifli Hasan, and even ministers like LBP and Tito," Guntur told reporters on Tuesday, adding, "Bahlil wasn’t even Golkar’s chairman then, he was just the Ministry of Investment chief."
Guntur further threw shade at Bahlil by referencing a statement from Jokowi about being ‘slapped’ over the third term issue. "Bahlil wasn’t reprimanded or punished by Jokowi for proposing the third term idea," Guntur stated.
"Secondly, Bahlil is one of the people Jokowi labeled as ‘slapping and agenda-setting.’ Yet, Bahlil wasn’t reprimanded or punished, and instead, he became the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, and later, Golkar’s chairman. This doesn’t seem like someone who ‘slapped’ Jokowi," Guntur quipped.
Guntur believes that Bahlil’s defense is just a public joke. "Bahlil’s illogical defense is similar to the illogical protests against Jokowi. They’re both just laughing stocks," he commented.
Guntur also stated that PDIP had always kept Jokowi in check, even when the third term talks were prevalent. "In 2022, when the third term talks were rampant, PDI Perjuangan was still very close to Jokowi. We made sure he didn’t overstep his bounds, like wanting to extend his term or run for a third term. Bahlil, at that time, wasn’t very close to Jokowi, but he tried to push the third term idea like a broker," Guntur revealed.
Meanwhile, Bahlil Lahadalia has refuted claims that he received orders from Jokowi regarding the third term issue. In a press conference, he announced that he was the first to suggest delaying the 2024 presidential election. Bahlil, however, reiterated that the idea did not come from the President.
Catch us for more updates on this brewing political storm.
