"Our gubernatorial candidate is Ridwan, with Daniel Muttaqien as his running mate," Golkar secretary-general Idrus Marham said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

Ridwan had already secured enough support to run in next year’s race following the endorsement of Islam-based United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB), as well as the NasDem Party. The alliance represents a total of 21 council seats in the province.

The PPP, however, has endorsed its own cadre, Tasikmalaya Regent Uu Ruzhanul Ulum, as Ridwan's running mate.

Some parties have yet to announce their candidates, including the Hanura Party, the Democratic Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which is the only party in West Java that can field a gubernatorial ticket without forming a coalition because of its 20 council seats.

PDI-P recently invited seven prospective hopefuls to a silaturahmi (friendly meeting), which appeared to be a primary to vet candidates. The seven include incumbent West Java Deputy Governor Deddy Mizwar and Purwakarta Regent Dedi Mulyadi, another popular figure in the province who is also chairman of Golkar’s West Java chapter.

Deddy has already gained the support of Gerindra, which teamed up with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) to form an alliance, controlling 23 seats in total. (ipa)

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