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PDI-P names Gus Ipul-Azwar Anas as East Java gubernatorial candidate pairing
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East Java Deputy Governor Saifullah Yusuf talks to journalists about his nomination for East Java governor in the 2018 gubernatorial election at his office in Surabaya, East Java, on May 25. (JP/Wahyoe Boediwardhana)
T
he Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has named Deputy East Java Governor Saifullah "Gus Ipul" Yusuf as its East Java gubernatorial candidate, joining the National Awakening Party (PKB), which declared support for Gus Ipul in May.
East Java is one of the 171 provinces, regencies and cities that will elect new leaders next year.
The announcement was made by PDI-P chairwoman and former president Megawati Soekarnoputri on Sunday.
Megawati also announced that PDI-P would support Banyuwangi regent Abdullah Azwar Anas as Gus Ipul's running mate.
"The candidate is Saifullah Yusuf, his running mate is the energetic Azwar Anas," she said at PDI-P headquarters in Jakarta.
Read also: Khofifah, Risma trail Gus Ipul in East Java race
The announcement was made after Megawati held meetings with a number of figures touted as potential East Java governor candidates including outgoing Jakarta Governor Djarot Syaiful Hidayat and Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini.
Gus Ipul will likely compete in a two-horse race against Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa who has won support from the Golkar Party and the NasDem Party.
Megawati said she had long known Gus Ipul, a notable Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figure who was close to the late former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.
Megawati also said she was impressed by Azwar's performance in developing Banyuwangi.
"He has truly implemented the Trisakti concept of Bung Karno," Megawati said referring to her late father, Indonesia's first president Sukarno.
The province will likely see a battle between two top cadres of NU, the country's biggest Islamic organization. Khofifah is currently the head of Muslimat NU, NU's women’s wing. (bbs)
