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Kaesang denies being offered by Jokowi as Jakarta governor candidate
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Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) chairman Kaesang Pangarep delivers a speech at the gathering of a Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo volunteer group in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Dec. 13, 2023. (Antara/Hasrul Said)
K
aesang Pangarep, the younger son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, has repudiated a claim made by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) that his father is offering him to various political parties as a candidate for the upcoming regional elections.
In his official statement on Thursday, Kaesang, who chairs the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), said his father had never proposed his name to political parties.
“The secretary-general of the PKS did not speak based on facts. Pak Jokowi has never offered my name to any party. Please check or name to which party Pak Jokowi has offered [my name]. It is a lie to the public," Kaesang said.
He further underlined that the PSI has secured seats in the local council to propose its own member to be supported by a coalition of parties for the Jakarta gubernatorial race, and that party leaders including himself had the ability to decide which candidate would eventually run for Jakarta’s top post.
"As chairman, I have full authority to determine who will be nominated by the PSI. That authority rests with the party leaders, so let's just wait. Don't bring up the President, I am the party chairman," Kaesang noted.
Read also: PKB teases potential Anies-Kaesang pairing in Jakarta election
"This regional election should be kept free of fake news, as it is detrimental to society. Moreover, it will also be harmful to those who like to spread fake news like that," he went on, adding that the PKS might have made the suggestion to close the door on any coalition cooperation with PSI.
