he ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and the Islam-based National Awakening Party (PKB) have sealed their political collaboration ahead of the 2018 East Java gubernatorial election, prompting many to call it yet another “watermelon” coalition.
The term refers to the signature colors of the PDI-P and PKB, which are red and green, respectively, and suggests that the partnership is, at its core, a PDI-P-led vehicle.
But PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri disagreed.
“I would agree if the watermelon was red on the outside and green inside,” the former president said at the party’s headquarters in Jakarta on Sunday.
Megawati made the statement after announcing that the PDIP would support the nomination of East Java Deputy Governor Saifullah “Gus Ipul” Yusuf, a PKB member, as its East Java gubernatorial candidate.
Gus Ipul will likely compete against Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who has won support from the Golkar Party, the NasDem Party and the Hanura Party.
Among the 171 regions slated to elect new leaders next year are Indonesia’s most populated provinces: East Java, West Java, Central Java, and North Sumatra.
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