"Jonan is very interesting and worthy to be one of the candidates to lead East Java," PAN Secretary General Eddy Soeparno said in Surabaya on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Even though Jonan was removed from the Cabinet by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in last month’s Cabinet shake-up, the party believes in his positive achievements. The party is especially impressed with Jonan’s leadership of the state-run train company PT Kereta Api Indonesia, Eddy said, adding that the company's significant improvements under Jonan showed his qualities and his ability to lead.

Jonan is also considered an East Java native, having been brought up in Surabaya, he further said.

Besides Jonan, PAN is also considering its own politicians such as Bojonegoro Regent Suyoto, Masfuk, the former Lamongan regent, and singer-cum-legislator Anang Hermansyah for the election.

The party has also included East Java Deputy Governor Saifullah Yusuf as a possible candidate for the 2018 election.

PAN will undertake through a vetting process before announcing its final endorsement, Eddy said.

PAN will also conduct a survey to help select the candidate most fit to represent the party and the public.

"The candidate must have same the views of PAN, especially candidates who are not party cadres," he said. (rin)

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