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slamic parties may field a candidate of their own to challenge incumbent Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in Jakarta’s gubernatorial election next year should the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) fail to nominate Surabaya mayor Tri “Risma” Rismaharini.

With various political surveys pointing to Ahok, a Protestant of Chinese descent, as the candidate to beat in 2017, Islamic groups have called on Islamic parties to propose a Muslim candidate to lead the capital, where Muslims account for about 85 percent of the population.

The National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party (PPP), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) are in talks on forming an alliance.

The parties together control 29 seats in the City Council, allowing them to nominate a candidate for the race. The Regional Election Law requires that election contenders are backed by a party or coalition of parties controlling at least 22 seats in the council.

“We don’t want people to think that Ahok is the only capable individual to run the city,” PKB politician Maman Imanulhaq told The Jakarta Post over the weekend. “There are many other qualified people, including from Islamic parties”.

As of now, however, the Islamic parties seem to have neither the confidence nor the candidate popular enough to beat Ahok, who tops surveys by significant margins. The latest polling by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) found that 54.5 percent of respondents would vote for the incumbent governor if the election were held today.

The Islamic parties are pinning their hopes on Risma, even though the PDI-P politician has repeatedly said she was not interested in running for Jakarta governor. Risma, who wears a headscarf, is the only candidate seen to have what it takes to beat Ahok. She has a stellar career as a regional leader, is considered as pro-poor, and, more importantly, a devout Muslim.

While a recent survey found that most Jakarta voters do not care about Ahok’s race or religion, his political rivals will likely use those aspects in their attacks. Some believe this is why Ahok appointed an influential Muslim figure as his campaign chief, an assertion the former East Belitung regent has denied.

“While communication with Islamic parties is ongoing, PPP is certain that Risma will run for Jakarta governor,” PPP politician Arwani Thomafi said.

PAN committee deputy chairman Hanafi Rais shared the same sentiment, saying his party would be glad to support Risma if she decided to join the race. Party leaders were intensively discussing her nomination, he said.

Hanafi dismissed notions that his party supported Risma because of her religion, saying, “religious background should no longer be an important consideration in picking
a leader”.

However, PAN, he said, would maintain good relations with Islamic parties “as an alternative”.

The PDI-P has yet to nominate anyone, but rumor has it the party is hovering between Risma and Ahok.

Other than Ahok — who is supported by the Golkar Party, the Hanura Party and the Nasdem Party — businessman Sandiaga Uno is the only candidate to have secured the support of a major political party. Sandiaga was recently nominated by the Gerindra Party, the second largest party in Jakarta after the PDI-P.

Gerindra, too, is waiting for PDI-P’s decision on Risma, hoping to pair her with Sandiaga, who may then have to settle for running as deputy governor.

The political map, therefore, will change if the PDI-P decides to back Ahok rather than Risma. Islamic parties will have to choose between forming a coalition with Gerindra or nominating their own candidate.

Still, doubts remain as to whether Islamic parties will ever unite. Political analyst Hamdi Muluk said establishing an alliance would be a challenging task for Islamic parties, as they actually had different ideologies.

“Endorsing Risma is the best option for them, but they still need to wait for PDIP’s decision on that.”