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PDI-P, Gerindra must partner to hinder nomination of Papua governor: Expert
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An act of solidarity: Around 500 people join the Care for Papua's Development Movement in staging a rally in Jayapura on Sept.8 to call for the end of the National Police's investigation into Papua Governor Lukas Enembe. (JP/Nethy Dharma Somba)
T
he two parties with the highest number of seats in the Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) -- namely the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Gerindra Party -- must form a coalition if they want to hinder the nomination of Papua incumbents Lukas Enembe and Klemen Tinal in the 2018 gubernatorial election.
Currently, the Lukas-Klemen ticket is supported by 10 parties, which control 43 out of 56 seats in the DPRD Papua. The PDI-P has seven seats and Gerindra six.
“I’m sure these two parties will form a coalition for the Papua gubernatorial election because they are fully aware that the upcoming regional election in the province is not only an event to elect a governor and deputy governor, but also a battle to maintain Papua as part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia [NKRI],” said Marinus Yaung, a political expert from the University of Cenderawasih, on Wednesday.
He said the PDI-P and Gerindra doubted the commitment of the current Papuan leaders to maintain Papua as part of the NKRI. That was why the two parties are striving to nominate a candidate with a strong commitment to maintain the solidity of the NKRI, Marinus added.
“It is even possible that several parties, which have previously backed the incumbent pair, will withdraw their support.”
Earlier, Ones Pahabol, the former Yahukimo regent, declared his nomination for the 2018 election with Yoram Mambay as his running mate. He has not yet revealed the parties supporting his candidacy. (ebf)
