Prabowo: I Have Long been Friends with Surya Paloh, We Once Chose Different Paths

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto mentioned that Surya Paloh, the Chairman of the Nasdem Party, is an old friend despite having taken different paths at times.

“I have been friends with Mr. Surya Paloh for quite some time,” Prabowo said during his speech at the 15th anniversary celebration of Nasdem at Nasdem Tower, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (11/11/2026).

“We have previously been in the same organization and movement, and we have also chosen different paths,” he continued.

Prabowo did not elaborate on the moment when he and Surya Paloh parted ways.

However, it is known that Surya Paloh's Nasdem Party has consistently been in a different coalition from Prabowo's coalitions in the Presidential Elections of 2014, 2019, and 2024.

It was only after the 2024 Presidential Election that the Nasdem Party declared support for Prabowo's administration, although it did not send any representatives to the cabinet.

Prabowo expressed confidence that, despite their differences, Surya Paloh shares a noble purpose similar to his own.

“We are both together with this nation, and we both want to contribute our energy, thoughts, ideas, and aspirations,” Prabowo said.

On behalf of himself and representing the Government of Indonesia, Prabowo also wished a happy anniversary to the 15th birthday of the Nasdem Party.

“The Nasdem Party is an important milestone as it continues to contribute at the national, provincial, district, and every level of our nation,” he remarked.

Surya Paloh stated that his party received positive energy from President Prabowo Subianto’s attendance at the 15th anniversary celebration.

Surya mentioned that Prabowo’s presence at the event was a great honor for Nasdem.

“It is a tremendous honor on this joyous occasion, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Nasdem Party, that the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Prabowo Subianto, has the opportunity to attend here with us. This will have its own significance. Nasdem gains positive energy,” said Surya at Nasdem Tower, Jakarta, on Wednesday.