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Akbar Tandjung 'ready' to be Jokowi's running mate
Golkar Party advisory council chairman Akbar Tandjung says he is ready to run as a vice presidential candidate, including being paired with Jakarta Governor Joko âJokowiâ Widodo, but he does not want to secure such a nomination via political maneuvering that would bring him closer to other political parties
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G
olkar Party advisory council chairman Akbar Tandjung says he is ready to run as a vice presidential candidate, including being paired with Jakarta Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, but he does not want to secure such a nomination via political maneuvering that would bring him closer to other political parties.
'I'm ready, given my experience in government institutions, in politics, in social activities and as a legislative member at the House of Representatives. I'm eligible to become a running mate of a presidential candidate,' Akbar told journalists in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.
'But I will not take special measures to get closer to any political party in the hope they pick me as a vice presidential candidate,' he went on.
Akbar then cited a survey published by Tempo magazine that placed him as a vice presidential candidate partnering Jokowi. He said an opportunity for him to partner with Jokowi to form the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI-P) presidential ticket had opened up.
When he was asked about the nature of his relationship with the PDI-P, Akbar said he had a close relationship with PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and the party's secretary-general Tjahjo Kumolo for some time.
'There's been no discussion on the matter. I also want to first focus my attention on winning for Golkar in the legislative election,' said Akbar.
Golkar deputy chairman Agung Laksono said Akbar's name would likely emerge during the evaluation of the party's performance under the leadership of Aburizal Bakrie, which was set to take place after the legislative election.
Although Golkar has decided on Aburizal as its presidential candidate, murmurs of discontent have emanated from within the party. It is reported that Akbar wants Aburizal's nomination re-evaluated due to the latter's poor electability rating. (idb/ebf)
