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Golkar names Agus Gumiwang interim chair as it scrambles to regroup for November polls
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Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto (right) waves the party flag at its headquarters in Jakarta on April 3, 2024, to mark the departure of a free Idul Fitri mudik (exodus) trip it sponsored. (Antara/Reno Esnir)
T
he Golkar Party has named Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, a close aide of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, its interim leader following the abrupt resignation of former chair Airlangga Hartarto, which threw the nation's oldest party into uncertainty ahead of regional elections in November.
Airlangga, currently the coordinating economic minister, stepped down as Golkar chair on Sunday, citing the need to “ensure stability” ahead of the transition to the administration of president-elect Prabowo Subianto, whom the party backed in February’s presidential election.
Airlangga’s departure from Golkar has set off a rush to find a replacement, as the party only has about three weeks to finalize its nominations and election deals before the three-day registration period for regional candidates opens on Aug. 27.
Agus, who serves as industry minister in Jokowi’s outgoing administration, will temporarily take the helm of the country’s second-largest party until it elects a definitive chairman in a congress on Tuesday of next week.
“As the interim chairman, my main duty will be to lead Golkar through the congress,” Agus said on Tuesday night after a meeting unanimously selected him for the interim position.
“We intend to show to the public that Golkar is determined to maintain solidity in facing any challenges ahead,” he said, adding that the party remained committed to making the November elections and the incoming Prabowo administration “a success”.
But Agus said he did not plan to throw his hat in the ring in next week's chairmanship contest.
