Veteran Artists Supports Prabowo-Hatta Pair

Jakarta (Antara) - Several veteran artists from the 1970-1980 era have expressed their support for the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa pair in the upcoming presidential election. "We support Prabowo-Hatta because they are keen to promote artists on the international arena and help them to become self-reliant," Nurul Arifin noted here on Tuesday. They declared their support at the Prabowo-Hatta success team headquarters in East Jakarta. Head of the Prabowo-Hatta Success Team Mahfud MD and former Indonesian ambassador to China Major General (retired) Sudrajat were present at the event. Among veteran artists lending their support are Yacti Oktavia, Fitria Elvi Sukesih, Arie Kusmiran, Erie Johan, Ikang Fauzie, Fifi Sumantri, Marini, Aries Kusmiran, and Pungki Sutiwo. Singer Arie Kusmiran stated that Prabowo and Hatta were always in her heart, and therefore, she supported the pair. Meanwhile, some 15 thousand retired military and police officers expressed their support for the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa presidential and vice presidential pair in the July 9 presidential poll. "I support Prabowo because I know his character and behavior while we studied at the military academy. Prabowo and I are of the same generation, so I know his behavior. There are 15 thousand retired servicemen in Gorontalo," Chief of the Prabowo-Hatta pair's campaign team for retired servicemen Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Mohtar Darise remarked on Monday evening. Darise emphasized that Indonesia needed a firm and consistent leader like Prabowo. Therefore, retired military and police officers and their families in Gorontalo province will vote for the Prabowo-Hatta pair. Indonesia is headed for a presidential election on July 9, 2014, which will be contested by two pairs, Prabowo-Hatta and Joko Widodo (Jokowi)-Jusuf Kalla. Prabowo is a former military figure, while Hatta is a former chief economic minister. Jokowi is currently the Jakarta governor, while Jusuf Kalla is a former vice president. (*)