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PAN, Gerindra officially join forces to endorse Prabowo-Hatta
In front of hundreds of National Mandate Party (PAN) members flocking the hall at the partyâs headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, PAN chairman Hatta Rajasa and Gerindra chief patron Prabowo Subianto shook hands to mark the beginning of the two partiesâ political cooperation for the July 9 presidential election
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n front of hundreds of National Mandate Party (PAN) members flocking the hall at the party's headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, PAN chairman Hatta Rajasa and Gerindra chief patron Prabowo Subianto shook hands to mark the beginning of the two parties' political cooperation for the July 9 presidential election.
'PAN has just completed its national executive meeting here and by acclamation, we have decided to align with Gerindra and support Prabowo's presidential bid,' Hatta said, followed by the audience's cheers.
'We have also decided, by acclamation, to nominate PAN chairman [Hatta himself] as Prabowo's running mate.'
Hatta tendered his resignation as coordinating economic minister to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on Tuesday.
Besides Prabowo, Gerindra's other elites present at the PAN meeting included chairman Suhardi, secretary general Ahmad Muzani, deputy chief patron who is also Prabowo's brother Hashim Djojohadikusumo.
In his speech, Prabowo thanked PAN for supporting his presidential ticket.
'These two parties' decision to cooperate did not include any political transactions. We share similar concerns about this country. I am already excited to fight alongside Hatta and PAN,' he said.
'Together, we can make Indonesia a nation that has dignity, a great nation that is not inferior before other nations,' Prabowo added, which was received by the two parties' sympathizers who chanted, 'Prabowo-Hatta are great!'
Suhardi said Prabowo-Hatta presidential-vice presidential ticket had not yet been officially declared and was pending formal endorsement by other member parties in the coalition. Previously, the United Development Party (PPP) had announced it support for Prabowo but it has not formally endorsed Hatta as the latter's running mate yet.
Executives of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have also signaled that it will support Prabowo's presidency bid.
Prabowo's most likely rival, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), has not announced his running mate.
Former Golkar Party chairman Jusuf Kalla, himself a former vice president, has been touted as Jokowi's possible running mate.
