Prabowo-Hatta Supporters Set Up Youth Organization

Jakarta (Antara) - Political parties supporting the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa presidential pair have set up a youth organization to garner votes from the younger generation. "To approach the youth a structured organization has to be set up, and in view of that, we have formed 'Gerakan Muda Indonesia' (Gema Indonesia)," Aryo Djojohadikusumo stated here on Wednesday. The nephew of Prabowo Subianto noted that "Gema Indonesia" has brought together youth organizations of the coalition parties. Aryo remarked that several artists have joined the organization, such as Anang Hermansyah from the National Mandate Party (PAN), Rachel Maryam from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Ahmad Dhani, Pasha Ungu, and Dwiki Darmawan. "We are optimistic because we get a lot of support from the youth who will back the Prabowo-Hatta duo," he affirmed. Secretary General of Gema Indonesia Anang Hermansyah emphasized that the new organization had been established to promote the Prabowo-Hatta pair using the capacity and capabilities of the young party cadres. "Many of us are not practical politicians. We come from various walks of life, such as businessmen, university lecturers, students, among others. Awareness of our responsibility to save Indonesia has united us, and so we must take a stance," Anang reiterated. Retired lieutenant general Prabowo is a former commander of the army's special forces and the chief patron of Gerindra, while Hatta Rajasa is the general chairman of PAN and former chief economic minister. The Prabowo-Hatta pair will compete in the presidential election scheduled on July 9 against former Jakarta governor Jokowi from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and former vice president Jusuf Kalla. (*) Reporting by Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga