Alex Noerdin’s loss is a wake-up call for Golkar in 2014: Lawmaker

Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa: (Courtesy of agun-gunandjarsudarsa.com)

The failure of Golkar Party member and South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin in Jakarta’s gubernatorial election should be a wake-up call for the party in 2014, a lawmaker says.

"Even though our loss in the gubernatorial election doesn't necessarily reflect the future, Golkar must further consolidate to win the 2014 election," Golkar lawmaker Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa told reporters on the sidelines of a plenary meeting at the House of Representatives on Friday.

Alex conceded defeat after quick counts from LSI, Indobarometer and Kompas said he won around 4 percent of the vote in the poll on Wednesday.

Golkar patron Akbar Tanjung previously said that the party needed to work harder to succeed in the legislative and presidential elections in 2014 following its poor showing on Wednesday.

"This is a warning for leaders of the party. I think the gubernatorial election is a barometer for the presidential election. Our loss in Jakarta will gradually impact Ical’s presidential candidacy,” he said, referring to party chairman Aburizal Bakrie.

“Golkar must work harder to boost its image to win the presidential election," Akbar added.