Gerindra chief patron Prabowo Subianto hand-picked Sjafrie as a candidate, Sandiaga said on Sunday as reported by kompas.com. The formal announcement has been scheduled for July, he added.

Sjafrie's name has been included among the top three names for the party to consider for next year's Jakarta gubernatorial election, Gerindra recruitment team chief Syarif said on Monday.

Gerindra Jakarta Executive Branch will submit the names of three potential candidates to the party's central executive board. The names are Sjafrie, Sandiaga and former Legal and Human Rights Minister Yusril Iha Mahendra, Syarif said.

Prabowo will have the final say regarding the candidates, he added.

Gerindra politician Habiburokhman commended Sjafrie as a prominent former member of the military who had forged close relations with public. He called Sjafrie a "firm but polite figure".

“He is admired by the public, because of his good appearance and his performance while serving as Jakarta's Military commander [Pangdam Jaya],” he told thejakartapost.com adding that Sjafrie had managed to maintain security in the capital during the May 1998 riots.

Sjafrie, also former deputy Defense Minister, was cleared of accusations relating to his alleged involvement in human rights abuses during the 1998 violence.

Habiburokhman also expressed hope that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Golkar and the National Mandate Party (PAN) would form a coalition with Gerindra for the Jakarta gubernatorial election. Gerindra only acquired 15 seats in the Jakarta City Council. It must form a coalition with another party to be able to nominate a candidate to run in the Jakarta gubernatorial election. (rin)

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