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Anies pact splits over Muhaimin VP moves
The National Awakening Party (PKB) announced on Friday that it will support chairman Muhaimin Iskandar running as Anies Baswedan's running mate in the upcoming presidential election.
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National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar greets party members during the celebration of the party's 25th anniversary at Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, on July 23, 2023. (Antara/Mohammad Ayudha)
National Awakening Party (PKB) leader Muhaimin Iskandar has emerged as a possible vice-presidential candidate after securing the backing of the country's largest Muslim-based party to run with Anies Baswedan, in a move that has rocked the opposition camp.
Executives and members of top decision-making bodies in the party had convened in Surabaya, East Java, on Friday afternoon and agreed to accept a prospective offer from the NasDem Party, Anies’ main backer, to back Muhaimin to run with the former Jakarta governor.
“We accept and agree [to support] Anies as presidential candidate and Cak Imin as his vice-presidential candidate,” said PKB secretary-general Hasanudin Wahid following Friday’s meeting as quoted by Antara, referring to Muhaimin by his nickname.
The decision was made after consulting with senior figures and clerics in the country’s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), who gave the nod to the potential political matchup.
The party is expected to make a declaration soon, Hasanuddin added. Some party members said it could take place as soon as Saturday in East Java.
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