PKS eyes Jakarta, West Java governor seats

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) is hoping to grab the Jakarta and West Java governor positions in a political attempt to improve their standing in contending the 2014 General Elections.

“Winning the two [gubernatorial elections] means we win the capital and [Indonesia’s] largest province in terms of the number of inhabitants. We will work hard to make it happen,” PKS president Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq said Saturday in his opening speech during a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the party at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha in Bandung, West Java.

The affirmation came in response to a statement made by West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, who is also a PKS member, that he lacked funding to run the West Java administration with the population accounting for 20 percent of 235 million Indonesians, compared to Jakarta, which he said had “overwhelming” funding but fewer residents.

Luthfi said the PKS was endorsing PKS patron Hidayat Nur Wahid and his running mate Didik J. Rachbini to win the Jakarta gubernatorial election, while it was supporting incumbent Governor Ahmad Heryawan for the West Java gubernatorial election, with a running mate yet to be decided.

He asked all PKS cadres to remind their relatives and constituents to vote for the PKS candidate during the Jakarta gubernatorial race.

He said the PKS lost by only five percent in the previous Jakarta gubernatorial race to a coalition of 21 other political parties that endorsed Fauzi Bowo.

“Now they are split in six pairs, while the PKS remains unmoved. We will maintain our constituents and win the Jakarta [gubernatorial race],” said Luthfi.

Separately, deputy head of the PKS West Java branch, Tate Qomaruddin, said the party had secured support from the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) for the West Java gubernatorial election, but might form coalitions with other parties as well.

“We will continue to communicate with other parties. We want the best for West Java,” Tate said. (mtq)