T

he Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) declared its support on Tuesday for Rizal Ramli — former coordinating maritime affairs minister — in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

KSPI chairman Said Iqbal said labor unions would continue to garner support from both the public and political parties for Rizal.

“We are going to approach some political parties, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Party Development (PPP),” he said.

Iqbal said he believed Rizal had shown promise and that should he lead Jakarta in the future, he would listen to the aspirations of workers and the poor.

To gain more support, the KSPI will conduct a long march in the city to promote Rizal as the next governor, he said, without specifying a date.