TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
PAN considers backing Gatot Nurmantyo
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Seeking support: Then-Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo speaks at a discussion held by the House of Representatives' Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sept. 27, 2017. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A)
N
ational Mandate Party (PAN) deputy chairman Bara Hasibuan said on Thursday that his party had met with former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander and presidential hopeful Gatot Nurmantyo to discuss the possibility of backing him as a candidate in the 2019 presidential election.
“We have met with him informally, but we haven’t made any decision yet,” Bara said. “We are maintaining relationships with all parties and exploring all possibilities,” he went on.
The politician acknowledged, however, that Gatot was among people being considered by PAN to throw its support behind.
Meanwhile, PAN founder Amien Rais praised Gatot, calling him “a very good man.”
“He is anti-PKI [now defunct Indonesian Communist Party]. He has also said that the NKRI [the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia] would not exist without the Muslim faithful,” he said on Thursday. “He is a very wonderful man.”
Amien said, however, that he still considered Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto the strongest possible contender for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
“But everything can change, if God says it will change, then it will change,” he said, adding that the lines of communication with Gatot were still open. (ebf)
