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Budi Waseso and Anies Baswedan on PDI-P's radar
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Anies Baswedan speaks to a child during Car Free Day in Jakarta on July 17. (Antara Foto/Reno Esnir)
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is expanding its potential pool of 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial candidates.
The latest names being considered are National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso and Anies Baswedan, the former culture and education minister, in addition to the six figures selected previously.
Among the six, Surabya Mayor Tri Rismaharini is the strongest candidate to challenge incumbent Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Puranam, recently nominated by the Golkar Party, the Hanura Party and the NasDem Party.
"All figures debated in the public are currently on our radar. Those figures are being vetted to be included on the list of potential PDI-P candidates,” said Gembong.
Various groups in Jakarta have declared their support for Risma, but the Surabaya mayor seems reluctant to enter fully into the race.
Budi Waseso was earlier heralded by the Gerindra Party, but the party later nominated businessman Sandiaga Uno to be its gubernatorial candidate.
Separately, Anies said he had never considered running in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election and that he was still enjoying free time after losing his position following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s recent Cabinet shake-up.
"I am still enjoying my leisure time after fulfilling my duty," Anies told journalists on the phone from Bandung on Tuesday. (bbn)
