Exploring a Grand Coalition to Face the Banten Regional Election, Airin Registers with Four Other Parties

Airin Rachmi Diany is lobbying a number of parties to build a large coalition to face the 2024 Banten gubernatorial election.

KOMPAS/HIDAYAT SALAM

General Chairman of the Nation's Awakening Party, Muhaimin Iskandar, attended the "Political Introduction of Gus Muhaimin" event held by the National Awakening Party which was attended by prospective regional leaders for the West Java, DKI Jakarta, and Banten regions at the Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel in Jakarta, Thursday (2/5/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Former Mayor of South Tangerang Airin Rachmi Diany continues to lobby a number of political parties to build a large coalition to face the Governor Election of Banten 2024. Even though he has received a ticket from the Golkar Party, Airin is still taking part in the selection of regional head candidates in four political parties at once.

The four political parties are the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Nasdem Party, and the National Mandate Party (PAN). Airin directly delivered the registration documents as a candidate for governor (cagub) of Banten to the DPD PDI-P Banten and DPW PKB Banten offices on Wednesday (1/5/2024).

Airin was also present at the "Gus Muhaimin” Political Taaruf event held by PKB in Jakarta, Thursday (2/5/2024). The event was held as a means of introducing prospective regional head candidates for the West Java, DKI Jakarta and Banten regions who registered through the PKB.

Also read: Complete Registration Files, Airin Waits for Megawati's Blessing for Banten Gubernatorial Election

Not only Airin, former Pandeglang Regent A Dimyati Natakusumah who also wants to run for the Banten gubernatorial election through PKB was also present. Likewise, another figure who wants to contest in Banten, Ratu Ageng Ekawati. Also present was the Regent of Tangerang, Ahmed Zaki Iskandar, a Golkar Party politician who will run in the Jakarta Pilkada.

Another potential Jakarta governor candidate present is Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah. Ida is the only cadre of the National Awakening Party (PKB) who is touted to run in the Jakarta gubernatorial election.

KOMPAS/HIDAYAT SALAM

Former Mayor of South Tangerang, Airin Rachmi Diany, and Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziyah, attended the "Gus Muhaimin Political Introduction" event held by the National Awakening Party (PKB) at the Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel in Jakarta on Thursday (2/5/2024).

In addition to the chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar, a number of number 1 party elites were also present. They included Deputy Chairman of PKB Jazilul Fawaid, Secretary General (Sekjen) of PKB Hasanuddin Wahid, Deputy Secretary General of PKB Syaiful Huda, and Chairman of the PKB Central Executive Board, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal.

Interviewed after the event, Airin explained that in order to compete in the Banten Regional Election, Golkar must form a coalition with other parties because they only have 14 seats in the Banten Regional House of Representatives (DPRD Banten). However, to be nominated as a candidate for the Banten governor, support is needed from political parties that hold 20 out of the total 100 seats in the DPRD Banten. This is due to the fact that Law No. 10 of 2016 concerning the Election of Governors, Regents, and Mayors requires political parties or a coalition of political parties to have a minimum of 20 percent of the seats in the DPRD or 25 percent of valid votes to be able to nominate a candidate for governor and deputy governor.

"We have been assigned to participate in the Banten gubernatorial election. Our party, Golkar, only has 14 seats in the Banten Province. So, it is impossible to work alone and we must work together," said Airin.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The banner of former Mayor of South Tangerang, Airin Rachmi Diany, was erected on Jalan Raya Rawa Buntu, South Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday (5/1/2023). Such banners are installed in almost all areas in Banten.

Currently, Airin has registered herself as a candidate governor of Banten to PKB and PDI-P. In addition, Airin also confirmed that she will take registration forms from PAN and Partai Nasdem, which recently opened the candidacy for the governor of Banten.

"So hopefully we can start with a good relationship, with all political parties in the Province of Banten, which hopefully will be a good start to the democratic process in achieving victory," said Airin.

Jakarta Regional Election Coalition

Zaki, who will run in the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election, expressed a similar opinion. According to him, Golkar must form a coalition with other parties to fulfill the minimum requirement of 22 seats in the Jakarta Regional Council (DPRD). Currently, Golkar only has 10 seats in the DPRD.

We have been assigned to participate in the Banten gubernatorial election. As Golkar in the Banten Province only holds 14 seats, it is impossible to work alone. We must work together.

Similar to Airin, Zaki, who has been appointed by the Golkar Party as the candidate for governor of Jakarta, has also registered with other political parties. However, until now, Zaki has only registered with the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Zaki does not have any problem with other figures that will be supported by the PKB, such as Ida Fauziyah, running in the Jakarta gubernatorial election. "It's not a problem. So, we are all working to increase popularity. What's for sure is that, with Golkar, there's option A, option B, option C," said the Chairman of the Golkar Regional Leadership Council in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, the General Chairman of PKB, Muhaimin Iskandar, stated that prospective regional head candidates who register through PKB will undergo a selection process. They will participate in discussions, interviews, and presentations on the vision and commitments that will be carried out.

"On behalf of PKB DPP, I would like to welcome all prospective regional head candidates from various regions. Welcome to PKB, welcome to the process of determining and selecting regional head candidates. Thank you to all prospective candidates who have registered and become part of PKB's struggle, whether we will support together with other parties or propose individually," said Muhaimin.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The Chairman of PKB, Muhaimin Iskandar, greeted the Acting Chairman of PPP, Muhammad Mardiono, who visited the PKB Central Office in Jakarta on Monday (April 29, 2024).

The National Awakening Party (PKB) will seek potential figures to be supported in the 2024 regional elections, both from internal cadres and non-cadres. Prospective regional head candidates are expected to have three aspects such as capacity and capability, vision, and electability.

According to Muhaimin, with only six months left, the electability of the candidates will be measured. That's because the candidate's figure is a strength in the regional elections and will determine the party's coalition map to win the 2024 regional elections. PKB is open to forming a coalition with any party to face the 2024 regional elections.

So far, according to Muhaimin, for the gubernatorial election, only in East Java Province can PKB nominate its regional head candidate independently without having to form a coalition. This is because the seat acquisition requirement has been fulfilled. Meanwhile, for provinces such as Banten, Jakarta, West Java, and Central Java, PKB must form a coalition to nominate its regional head candidate.

Also read:Presidential Election Rivalry Does Not Affect Political Party Cooperation in Regional Elections

"May this togetherness bring meaning for Indonesia in the future, and bring Indonesia as a country that can truly bring justice and prosperity for all," said Muhaimin.