Approaching Political Parties, Mayor of Magelang Still Avoids Moving Forward Again

Magelang Mayor M Nur Aziz admitted that he had approached a number of political parties. However, he has not decided to run again in the regional elections.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Muchamad Nur Aziz, Mayor of Magelang

MAGELANG, KOMPAS — Mayor of Magelang M Nur Aziz admitted that he had established communication, friendship and approaches with all political parties that have seats in the Magelang City DPRD. He admitted that this was done as part of his consideration, preparation, if he were to run again in the election for mayor of Magelang this year.

"I have met with all of them, such as PDI-P, PKB, PKS, Golkar Party, Hanura, and Democrats. Because I am not a member of any political party, when I do not receive support from them, I cannot possibly run (in the Magelang mayoral election)," he said, when met at the launch event of the Magelang mayoral election at Alun-alun Magelang on Sunday evening, May 5, 2024.

Aziz said he had not really officially decided to run again as a candidate incumbent. He also doesn't have an idea who he will partner with, and hasn't made any other preparations yet. "Currently, I still let everything flow," he said.

In the previous pilkada, Aziz ran with the support of PKS. It is not yet certain whether PKS supports him again or has other figures who are its own cadres to run in the election for mayor of Magelang.

Also read: Parties Peek at Each Other's Opponents Ahead of the Regional Election, Who is Against Whom?

Following the political dynamics that were taking place, Aziz was happy because he saw many billboards for candidates for mayor. He said this condition was an embodiment of democracy which felt increasingly alive in Magelang City.

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

Screen capture of Bali Province KPU presentation material at a media meeting in Denpasar City, Friday (5/4/2024).

The lively display of banners and information about figures who will run for mayor is also a consideration for him. "If there are already many good candidates to choose from, then why should I follow suit and run for candidacy," he said.

Aziz has received information that the former Secretary of the Magelang City Regional Government, Joko Budiyono, has registered himself as a prospective mayoral candidate with the PKB party. He considers this to be no longer surprising.

"The person in question (Joko Budiyono) has already stated himself when he was still serving as secretary, and I also know that he was actually going to be nominated to run for mayor in the 2020 election," he said.

Meanwhile, in a previous statement, the Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of the National Awakening Party (PKB) in Central Java, KH M Yusuf Chudlori, or more familiarly known as Gus Yusuf, said that Joko had indeed registered himself as a prospective candidate for the mayor of Magelang with PKB.

Gus Yusuf, a football enthusiast who served as CEO of PPSM Magelang for the 2011-2013 period, stated that personally, he is happy to receive the registration, as Joko is a fellow football fan. Joko is now also serving as the Chairman of the PSSI City Association in Magelang for the 2024-2028 period.

"Hopefully, if elected later, Pak Joko (Joko Budiyono) can help revive PPSM Magelang," he said.

He also considered Joko more convincing to lead Magelang City because he previously had a track record as regional secretary.

Also read: Party Coalition for Surakarta City Pilkada Still Liquid

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

KH M Yusuf Chudlori

I have met with everyone, including PDI-P, PKB, Partai Golkar, Hanura, and Demokrat. As I am not a member of any party, when I don't receive support from them, it's impossible for me to move forward.

When met, Joko stated that he was determined to run for the position of mayor in Magelang. He has registered himself by meeting Gus Yusuf in person about a week ago.

In line with what Gus Yusuf stated, if elected, he also promises to have a special focus on the development of football in Magelang.