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Budi Waseso tightlipped on Gerindra’s nomination
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Then-National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Comr. Gen. Tito Karnavian, meanwhile National Police chief (left), shakes hands with National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso (right) after a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission III, which oversees legal affairs, on June 16. (Antara/M. Agung Rajasa)
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ational Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso was tightlipped on Thursday about a report on his nomination as the Gerindra Party’s candidate for Jakarta’s gubernatorial election next year.
Asked if he was ready to be nominated, Budi said, “It is not a matter of being ready or not. Just ask Pak Sufmi Dasco.”
He was referring to Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Gerindra Party’s deputy chairman, who had named Budi as one of the potential candidates to be considered by Prabowo Subianto, the party chairman.
Budi declined to comment further, again calling on journalists to talk to Sufmi.
Sufmi previously suggested Budi might be paired with Sandiaga Uno, a businessman, who is also the deputy chairman of the party’s supervisory council. Sufmi praised Budi’s strong leadership both at the BNN and at the National Police’s crime investigation department.
Budi was not among three potential candidates – former law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra, former deputy defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Sandiaga Uno – initially named by the selection team of the party.
The party is scheduled to announce its Jakarta gubernatorial candidate by the end of this month.
Incumbent Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama remains the most popular candidate, according to several polls.
Ahok is still considering whether to maintain his independent bid for reelection or instead have himself nominated by political parties that have offered to back him. (bbn)
