Currently, there are five parties that have nominated Jokowi for the 2019 election. Aside from the PDI-P, the four other parties are the Golkar Party, NasDem, Hanura and the PPP.
By
·3 minutes read
Kompas/Nina Susilo
President Joko Widodo (left) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
DENPASAR, KOMPAS — Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri used the opening of the party’s National Working Meeting III in Bali on Friday to announce her decision to nominate President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to run for president in the 2019 presidential election. Megawati said Jokowi was the PDI-P’s best cadre.
Her announcement at the closed-door event has surprised PDI-P cadres and executives. However, they lauded her decision.
“I thank PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri who used her prerogative to nominate me as the presidential candidate for 2019 to 2024,” Jokowi said, responding to Megawati’s decision.
Currently, there are five parties that have nominated Jokowi for the 2019 election. Aside from the PDI-P, the four other parties are the Golkar Party, NasDem, Hanura and the United Development Party (PPP).
Jokowi said he would meet the PDI-P and four other political parties to talk about the criteria for the individual who would be his running mate in the 2019 election.
“When will it take place and what is the criteria, let me discuss it with the political parties first,” he added.
When asked if he would run with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Jokowi replied, “We have to meet again. There is ample time. It is now February, not yet May, June or July.”
The registration of the presidential candidate and his running mate for the 2019 to 2024 term will be held from Aug. 4 to 10.
Constitution
PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said the PDI-P hoped the cooperation between Jokowi and Kalla would continue. However, Kalla may not be allowed to run again under article 7 of the 1945 Constitution that stipulates that “the President and Vice President hold the office term for five years and could be re-elected for the same position for another term.”
Regarding the issue, the PDI-P has opened intensive talks with Kalla to get his input about who will be Jokowi’s running mate. “We will listen to input from Pak Kalla because he will have views on who will be Jokowi’s running mate,” Hasto said.
Talks with other political parties, which have nominated Jokowi, will also be intensified. “In determining the vice presidential candidate, we will also listen to people’s aspirations,” he said.
PPP secretary-general Arsul Sani said so far there was no prominent figure to be Jokowi’s running mate.
Golkar Party deputy secretary-general Muhammad Sarmuji said Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto was the party’s choice to become Jokowi’s running mate. “Our chairman has worked hard to consolidate the political party, to socialize Jokowi and his achievement as the industry minister is also good,” he added.
Earlier, Hanura Party chairman Oesman Sapta Odang said he would support party patron Wiranto as the vice presidential candidate. Meanwhile, the National Awakening Party is supporting Muhaimin Iskandar to become Jokowi’s running mate.
NasDem, which has also nominated Jokowi for 2019, does not have ambitions to nominate its cadre.
“NasDem’s best cadre is surely the chairman [Surya Paloh] and he has repeatedly said he would not nominate himself as a presidential candidate or vice presidential candidate or any other public positions,” NasDem secretary-general Johnny G Plate said.
