PDI-P wants problem solver, pluralist to be next Jakarta governor

Head of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) central board Maruarar Sirait says his party will always prefer someone who has the characteristic of problem solver and true pluralist to lead the country’s capital as governor.

“We will put too much interest at stake if we don’t,” Maruarar told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

He said right now party executives were still mulling over who would be the best person to nominate as the party’s governor’s candidate.

When asked whether former Jakarta vice governor Maj. Gen. (ret) Prijanto was among those names currently under consideration as potential party candidates, Maruarar said he couldn’t provide any comments on that yet.

“We still haven’t decided yet,” he said.

Besides Prijanto, figures such as Surakarta Mayor Joko Widodo and Surabaya deputy mayor Bambang DH, both PDI-P cadres, were also on the list.

Maruarar’s statement differed from that of PDI-P secretary-general Tjahjo Kumolo, who had on several earlier occasions stated that PDI-P would likely to nominate Prijanto as its gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming election.

So far, the only pair to openly declare their candidacy is Faisal Basri and running mate Biem Benyamint, whose entry into the race as independent candidates means the ticket is unaffiliated with any political party.

The Jakarta gubernatorial elections are around the corner and right now political parties are mulling over potential strategies for success.

Incumbent Fauzi Bowo is likely to announce his candidacy for a second term with the backing of the Democratic Party.