PDI-P remains indecisive on Rano Karno's candidacy despite surveys

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) says it hasn’t decided whether to allow its cadre Rano Karno to become the party's candidate in the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial elections, despite Karno’s known popularity.

“We are fully aware that surveys have shown Rano Karno is well known among the people of Jakarta, but we need to discuss the matter further before naming him as our candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial election, which will be organized next year,” PDI-P communications department chief Gus Suyadi said Wednesday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Rano Karno, a well known movie star, is now the deputy regent of Tangerang. His name first emerged when two survey companies, Media Survey Indonesia and Future Indonesia, asked respondents whether they were familiar with him.

Following in second place was incumbent Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, while third place was secured by Tantowi Yahya, a famous TV presenter who is now a lawmaker in the House commission on defense.

“PDI-P prioritizes meeting people’s aspirations. So of course we will name a candidate who in our opinion can rid Jakarta of its classic problems, such as flooding and massive traffic,” Suyadi said.