REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Senior economist Kwik Kian Gie explained his status as an advisor to Prabowo Subianto - Sandiaga Uno pair in presidential election 2019. He stressed that his position as an adviser to the opposition camp was based on friendship.

“I know Prabowo since long time ago, so I don't mind to be his adviser,” Kwik who is a member of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) said at the government camp campaign team headquarters, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Friday (Sept 21).

Kwik said Prabowo himself asked him to be advisor. It was conveyed during their meeting at Prabowo's house at Kertanegara Street, South Jakarta.

According to Kwik, Prabowo wanted to continue the discussion of economic issues. However, Kwik would not leave PDIP, despite being Prabowo - Sandiaga advisor.

He has proved his loyalty to the party since 1980.  “I won’t leave PDIP. I’ve told Prabowo and he really understand it,” the former coordinating economic minister and minister of National Development Planning / chief of National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) added.

On Friday (Sept 21), Kwik visited incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) - KH Ma’ruf Amin pair national campaign team (TKN) Indonesia Work Coalition (KIK) post team at Cemara 19 street, in Menteng, Central Jakarta. He said his gave the same advise to Prabowo's camp and Jokowi's camp on Indonesia's economic development.

Earlier, Prabowo said Kwik has agreed to help Indonesia Adil Makmur coalition team to solve the current problems, which considered burden many people, especially small people.  He also claimed Kwik has agreed to join his campaign team and officially became one of economic advisers. Prabowo said the composition of the team also filled with one former finance minister and two former Bank Indonesia governors.

“I just met Mr Kwik as my and Mr Sandiaga's economic team,” Prabowo said on Monday (Sept 17).

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