Jakarta. Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) Chairman Prabowo Subianto asked media tycoon Hary Tanoesoedibjo to get his party into the big coalition of pro-government parties for the upcoming elections as the two men met in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon.

Hary, the founder and chairman of the United Indonesia Party (Perindo), visited Prabowo at the latter’s official residence in Kebayoran Baru and held talks behind doors.

"We are open and very pleased if Perindo and maybe other parties want, let’s say, a big and solid formation to ensure the continuity of development and safeguard order and harmony,” Prabowo told reporters after the meeting.

His remarks came only three days after the leaders of five pro-government parties met with President Joko Widodo to discuss the possibility of forging a new coalition for the 2024 presidential election.

The five parties – Gerindra, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the United Development Party (PPP) – are currently split into two coalitions.

“The global tension is escalating across Europe and Asia. Rivalries among great powers spark global anxiety and we cannot downplay the situation, Indonesia must remain united," Prabowo said.

For his part, Hary said he found no issue in taking Perindo into the big coalition although the party is still struggling to win a seat in the House of Representatives following its failure in the last election. 

"It sure is a good idea and the substance of our discussion. Gerindra and Perindo will continue our discussions and hopefully, the political cooperation will run smoothly for the national interests," Hary said.

If the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) agrees to join, the new coalition will leave only three incumbent parties in the opposing camp.

The National Democratic Party (Nasdem), which has formally nominated former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan for the president, the Democratic Party, and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) will be forced to form a coalition if they want to nominate a presidential candidate. 

The election law requires a party or a coalition of parties to have at least 20 percent of House seats from the last election to nominate a candidate.

The three remaining parties cannot meet the 20 percent threshold without bonding together.

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