The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) remains unconcerned about “premature” opposition activity ahead of the 2024 presidential election, a senior party member said on Thursday, as he took a swipe at a key opponent’s independent marshalling of support.

PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto told reporters that the ruling party was unbothered by opposition figure and presidential hopeful Anies Baswedan’s recent political tour of the country, saying the PDI-P would not allow its nominee to work alone.

“All PDI-P cadres and sympathizers who have been instructed to cultivate strong bonds with the grassroots will work together to win the election. This was proven when Jokowi was nominated for previous elections and the PDI-P was able to win 18 provinces in 2019,” he said, referring to party member and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“A collective movement, not an individual one, will [win the race]. If one moves individually, they will be far behind,” Hasto said on the sidelines of a party event.

The statement was construed as a swipe at Anies and a reiteration of the party’s belief that the current open-list system makes elections excessively costly.

Anies, who is not a member of any political party, is the first presidential hopeful to have achieved enough support from parties represented in the legislature to be allowed to run for president. The NasDem Party, a member of the ruling coalition, as well as two opposition parties, the Democratic Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), have endorsed the former Jakarta governor to run in 2024.

Since being nominated by NasDem last year, Anies has been on a political tour that has included Sumatra, Java, Aceh, Kalimantan and Papua.

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