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PKB boss favors Rhoma over Mahfud
National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar does not consider former Constitutional Court chief justice Mahfud MD a stronger presidential candidate than the so-called âking of dangdutâ Rhoma Irama, despite the formerâs wide-ranging experience in national politics and time spent as a high-ranking official
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ational Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar does not consider former Constitutional Court chief justice Mahfud MD a stronger presidential candidate than the so-called 'king of dangdut' Rhoma Irama, despite the former's wide-ranging experience in national politics and time spent as a high-ranking official.
'I personally prefer Rhoma. However, both names remain high inside the PKB,' said Muhaimin, who is also the transmigration and manpower minister, at the State Palace on Thursday.
When asked the reasons behind his preference, Muhaimin said: 'Rhoma began working for his nomination far earlier [than Mahfud]. But this is just my personal preference, not the party's.'
'After the legislative elections in April next year, we will determine our final choice based on the party's internal mechanisms,' the minister added.
A lot of banners emblazoned with 'Rhoma for President' were once seen blanketing several areas in Jakarta and other cities too.
Last year, the Indonesia Malay Musicians Association (PAMMI) nominated Rhoma Irama as a candidate for the 2014 presidential election.
Previously, Mahfud said if he ran in the 2014 presidential election, it would be only on the PKB's ticket.
His statement came on the heels of his rejection of the Democratic Party's (PD) invitation to take part in its presidential convention.
Mahfud had been a top PKB politician before he was elected as Constitutional Court justice in 2008. He added he was of one soul with the PKB and Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) political spirit.
Many surveys have included both Mahfud and Rhoma at the top of lists concerning the most popular or electable presidential candidates. Most of them put the former justice in the lead over the dangdut legend.
