The Dems’ secretary-general, Hinca Panjaitan, said Monday that the party had been in communications with three other parties to endorse the pair, namely the Golkar Party, the Hanura Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

“We are ready to form a coalition but are also ready to compete. When the party has decided on something, all party members have to work to make it a success,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.

Wahidin, who was Tangerang mayor for 10 years from 2003, promised that if elected, he would focus on education, infrastructure and tourism revitalization. “We have some historical sites that can be promoted,” he said.

The legislator with the Dems also aims to revive “religious spirit” in Banten.

During his tenure in Tangerang, he issued a controversial bylaw on prostitution containing an article that allowed his administration to arrest women suspected of soliciting sex in public places. In 2006, his administration arrested a restaurant worker, Lilis Lindawati, who was waiting for a public minivan on the street. She was accused of prostituting herself in a public trial during Tangerang’s anniversary celebration along with dozens of other women.

Andika is the son of former Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption. He is a legislator at House of Representatives like Wahidin.

Atut is the daughter of Banten businessman and political leader Haji Tubagus Chasan Sochib, who died in 2011. Banten has been known to be controlled by Chasan’s dynasty, with family members holding positions in municipal and regental administrations, as well as on the legislative councils throughout the provinces. (evi)

Popular

Prabowo says Indonesia may need an authoritarian touch to fight corruption

Govt urged not to compromise too much for US trade deal

Twenty-five years on