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PKB backs Bobby Nasution for North Sumatra election
The Islam-based National Awakening Party (PKB) has become the latest party to declare support for Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution's bid for the North Sumatra gubernatorial election, slated for November, following several other parties, including the Democratic Party, the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Gerindra Party.
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National Awakening Party (PKB) deputy chair Jazilul Fawaid (right) shakes hand with Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution upon handing over a letter on the party's official endorsement in the upcoming North Sumatra gubernatorial election at the party's headquarter in Jakarta on July 4, 2024. The Islam-based party officially back Bobby, who is also the son-in-law of President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo, in the upcoming North Sumatra gubernatorial election, slated for November. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
The National Awakening Party (PKB) has declared support for Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution and his bid in the North Sumatra gubernatorial election, becoming the latest political party to back the son-in-law of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in the November regional head race.
Announcing the decision on Thursday, PKB deputy chair Jazilul Fawaid called the large coalition of political parties endorsing Bobby a promising sign for a potential victory.
“This is a large coalition. We can call it a super coalition,” Jazilul said, as quoted by kompas.com.
Bobby has received support from multiple parties for his candidacy for governor, including the Golkar Party, the Democratic Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Gerindra Party.
“The PKB hopes that with our [support], Mas Bobby can run even faster and further, especially in coordinating with the other political parties and in choosing a running mate,” Jazilul continued.
Read also: NasDem backs Bobby Nasution for North Sumatra governor
While saying the coalition was still discussing a potential running mate for Bobby, he said the Islam-based party would prefer a woman, such as a prominent female public figure, politician or member of a religious organization.
“I told Mas Bobby that in this era of social media, we suggest that he pick Mbak Nagita Slavina,” Jazilul said, referring to social media personality and wife of Raffi Ahmad, a television personality and entrepreneur widely seen as an ally of President Jokowi.
In the November election, Bobby will likely have to face former North Sumatra governor Edy Rahmayadi, who is eyeing support from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Bobby was a member of the party until November of last year, when it dismissed him after he declared support for defense minister and Gerindra patron Prabowo Subianto in the February presidential election.
Bobby’s campaign for the upcoming gubernatorial election has been marked by suspicions of possible intervention and meddling from Jokowi, whom analysts have said is trying to retain political influence after the end of his presidential term in October.
Political parties supporting Bobby have denied the allegations, with the Medan mayor saying that Jokowi was involved through his support and prayers for his children and in-laws. (yve)
