After weeks of silence, Hatta Rajasa announced Saturday his bid for the chief post at the National Mandate Party (PAN) in a gathering of regional party executives across Sumatra in Batam.
Hatta, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, said support from the party’s chapters from across Sumatra would help him win the election to be held in the national congress in January, also in Batam.
“The declaration marked a start to my quest for the PAN chairman post next year,” Hatta said.
A number of PAN figures, including chief advisor Amien Rais, have openly expressed their support for Hatta, who will replace Soetrisno Bachir if elected.
Hatta dismissed fears that his move to the party’s top job would not distract his focus as a Cabinet minister and adversely affect his performance as a state official.
Hatta has been touted as the odds-on favorite to lead PAN, thanks in part to his close ties with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
If elected, Hatta will join Suryadharma Ali of the United Development Party and Muhaimin Iskandar of the National Awakening Party as Cabinet ministers who hold party chief posts.
Unlike Hatta, Tifatul Sembiring relinquished his job as the Prosperous Justice Party chairman as soon as he was appointed the communication and information minister.
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