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JK could sink Jokowi's popularity, expert says
A political expert from the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta, Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, says Jusuf Kalla is an intellectual and a reputable negotiator and is recognized globally
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political expert from the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta, Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, says Jusuf Kalla is an intellectual and a reputable negotiator and is recognized globally.
With such an ability, he said Kalla might outshine the popularity of Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo if the former vice president runs in the upcoming presidential election.
'He proved his ability as a mediator in the Aceh and Ambon conflicts. So if Kalla is tapped to become Jokowi's running mate, he could sink the latter's popularity,' Syarwi said in Jakarta on Sunday as quoted by Antara.
He said Kalla almost overtook President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity when he was his vice president in his first term in 2004-2009.
Syarwi further said as former Golkar Party chairman, Kalla had made outstanding contributions to Indonesian politics. "Compared with JK, Jokowi has been far left behind,' he said.
Kalla also has a strong track records in government, his initiatives include a fuel-to-gas energy conversion project.
"He has a great ability to communicate with people so he has remained popular although he is no longer a vice president, which is different to other leaders, such as former vice president Hamzah Haz, who is no longer popular,' said Syarwi.
He further said Kalla had management capacity proven by his firm leadership at the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).
"With such advantages, there is no guarantee that Jokowi-JK could remain harmonious within a period of 5 years if they run as presidential-vice presidential candidate in the upcoming election,' Syarwi said.
Earlier, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) senior politician Sidarto Danusubroto said internal selection had voicedthree names as Jokowi's potential running mates. Both names and parties of the three candidates remain undisclosed. (ebf)
