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PDI-P mulls big names to roll out for Jakarta governor race
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is considering high-profile candidates to run in the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election, a boost the party could use to find another rising star following the departure of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (center) delivers a speech during the party's 51st anniversary in Jakarta on Jan. 10, 2024. (Antara/M Risyal Hidayat)
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is considering high-profile candidates to run in the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election, a boost the party could use to find another rising star following the departure of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
As parties begin switching gears for the November regional polls, the PDI-P is eyeing up big names to be nominated in the race, ranging from losing presidential candidate and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, and his predecessor in the city’s top job Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, to respected female ministers Sri Mulyani and Tri Rismaharini.
Gilbert Simanjuntak, chair of the PDI-P’s Jakarta executive board overseeing education and training, mentioned Sri Mulyani and Risma’s names along with two other potential candidates, namely former Indonesian Military commander Andika Perkasa and chair of the PDI-P’s Jakarta branch Ady Wijaya.
Other names could still make the list, Gilbert said, as the ruling party has opened its doors to anyone wishing to run for the race in Jakarta on the party’s ticket until May 20.
“The names of potential candidates will later be selected by the regional board and be submitted to the central executive board, who will make the final decision on the nominees,” Gilbert noted.
On the other hand, PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said earlier this week that his party was still in the process of reviewing names of potential candidates to run in the November regional elections across the country.
As in the case of Jakarta, Hasto acknowledged that Ahok and Anies were among the names that had gained the public’s attention. There had been talks about the possibility of the political figures joining forces in the race for the city, which will soon lose its status as the country's capital.
