Prabowo spokesman: "no comment" on FPI support

June 10, 2014
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JAKARTA, Indonesia – Prabowo Subianto campaign spokesman Bara Hasibuan said Sunday (June 8th) he was misquoted when he said the presidential candidate's coalition welcomed the support of the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), local media reported.

  • A spokesman for Prabowo Subianto's campaign on Sunday (June 8th) condemned violence and said he had

    A spokesman for Prabowo Subianto's campaign on Sunday (June 8th) condemned violence and said he had "no comment" on the Gerindra coalition's ties to the Islamic Defender Front (FPI) "and like-minded groups". [Romeo Gacad/AFP]

"I have no comment on the coalition's ties with or support from the FPI and like-minded groups. We never condone violence," The Jakarta Globe quoted him as saying.

"Indonesia stands on a foundation of pluralism, and we will continue to strengthen this," he said. "Every citizen has the right to practice their beliefs without fear, and the state is obliged to provide protection for [them]."

The FPI announced last week its support for the Islamic parties in the coalition backing Prabowo and running mate Hatta Rajasa for president, according to Merdeka.com.

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    • Helena
      June 14, 2014 @ 10:06:49AM
    • There would not be smoke unless there is fire. The confusion on the part of Prabowo's spokesperson reflected in Prabowo's statements issued during the campaign. It has been truly apparent in his campaigns that Prabowo has nothing to sell to the would-be voters. When he makes a speech, the topics are all over the place, jumping from one to the other, none of which are elaborated well. What's truly bad is that the tone of his statements are often pandering to the people through promises that do not make sense. For instance, to eradicate corruption he promises a salary raise for officials. He said this offhand without thinking of the consequences and insensitive to the people's feelings. Prabowo also boasted that he would make education free through to university level. This is not educational and it is not realistic. Where would the money come from? Right now the country is thousands of trillions in debt, who is going to pay it? Not to mention all the other empty promises. Additionally, if he were truly a nationalist and a pluralist, why would he establish a coalition with hard line Islamic parties like PKS which clearly has a platform that is against Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and want to establish an Islamic country. So, what are his motivations? His deeds are not in line with what he says. Prabowo's motivations are always pragmatic: gathering supporters. It is no wonder, therefore, that Prabowo's supporters are so varied and he has a coalition that resembles a zoo. The members of his coalition are people who are caught up in problems and want to dissolve the KPK. FPI enters the equation as trouble making hit men.

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