PDI-P Asked Not Provoked by Other Parties

JAKARTA - In determining Jakarta governor candidate, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) asked not provoked by other parties.

"The coalition of seven parties should be wary of the intent. Just friendship only, seek candidate who has not been met or have malicious intent? I see it is have bad intentions of the coalition of seven parties to Ahok, and PDI-P hooked," said Executive Director Jakarta Center, KP Norman in Jakarta, recently.

Norman who also volunteers of Teman Ahok added, even if PDI-P will be carrying the Surabaya Mayor, Tri Risma Harini as a prospective candidate, PDIP not bother to be coalesced.

"If so PDI-P carrying Risma, we are open and ready for it," he said.

Meanwhile, PDI-P will take into account the opinions of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who is also a senior party member, in determining its candidate for the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

"The President will give his comments about the candidacy. We will discuss his comments at the party's central executive board meeting," PDI-P deputy secretary-general Eriko Sotarduga said at home of party chairwoman and former president, Megawati Soekarnoputri in Jakarta, Friday (13/8) .

The party, which has not yet announced a candidate to compete in the regional election next year, has taken careful steps in naming a potential governor for the capital city. Moreover, the party will also look back at its success in catapulting Jokowi from the local to national level following his victory as governor in the 2012 regional election.

Eriko did not deny the possibility of throwing support behind Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat, as suggested by several party members, such as secretary-general Hasto Kristianto.

"The scenario of supporting Ahok and Djarot is still possible. We still have enough time to name the candidates before the time to register with the Jakarta General Elections Commission is over," he added.

However, the PDI-P will also highlight support for its own qualified politicians such as Surabaya Mayor, Tri Rismaharini, Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas, Semarang Regent Hendrar Prihadi and Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudaytmo. The party would monitor Jakartans’ aspirations before naming a governor candidate, Eriko added.

Top PDI-P politicians met at Megawati's house on Friday afternoon to further discuss preparations and potential candidates for the regional election, scheduled to be held in February next year.