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I used my prerogative right, Megawati says
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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (center), accompanied by Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat and other PDI-P politicians, speaks before sending Ahok and Djarot to the Jakarta General Elections Commission to register as a Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pair on Wednesday. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
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ndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri said she had used her prerogative as a chairwoman to select Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat as candidates for the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
"This time, I used my prerogative right as chairwoman without prior discussion with the party's members," Megawati said at PDI-P central executive board's headquarters on Wednesday.
“I instructed all of the party's structures, including those in the executive and legislative institutions, to endorse Ahok and Djarot as candidates who will compete in the election,” she said, adding that the decision was based particularly on Ahok’s spirit of nationalism.
"This man has nationalistic spirit. PDI-P's ideology is Pancasila so there are no differences between us [PDI-P and Ahok]," Megawati said, adding that the party upholds pluralism in deciding the candidates.
Megawati said PDI-P does not consider racial sentiments when appointing candidates.
On Wednesday, Megawati assisted Ahok and Djarot to register for the election at the Jakarta General Elections Commission office. Some party officials and representatives from Golkar, Hanura and Nasdem also assisted the pair. (bbn)
