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Coalition pushes Risma to challenge Ahok; PDI-P still silent
While the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) continues to be silent over the candidacy of Surabaya Mayor Tri "Risma" Rismaharini for the Jakarta gubernatorial election, the Kinship Coalition is trying hard to convince Risma and the PDI-P that she has a strong chance to win the election.
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Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini (left) meets with the city's people on the job. (Kompas/Bahana Patra Gupta)
W
hile the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) continues to be silent over the candidacy of Surabaya Mayor Tri Risma Harini for the Jakarta gubernatorial election, the Kinship Coalition has tried hard to convince Risma and the PDI-P that she has a strong chance to win the election.
United Development Party (PPP) secretary general Arsul Sani said his party would nominate Risma even if the PDI-P would not. “We will seek permission from the PDI-P to nominate Risma, even if her own party does not nominate her,” said Arsul in Jakarta on Friday as reported by tribunnews.com.
The PPP and PDI-P are members of the Kinship Coalition together with five other parties—the Gerindra Party, Prosperous Justice Party (PK), the Democratic Party (PD), the Awakening Party (PKB) and National Mandate Party (PAN).
However, the PDI-P reportedly is now considering to join the Golkar Party, NasDem Party and Hanura Party to nominate incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
The Kinship Coalition plans to pair Risma with Sandiaga Uno of the Gerindra Party.
Arsul said his party had been communicating with Risma for a long time: “She said she would pray for istikharah [seeking help from God to make the best decision],” said Asrul.
A similar move was made when PAN chairman Zulkifli Hasan reportedly made communication with the Surabaya mayor. “Bu Risma is considering to accept the nomination, but she also is being pressured to stay in Surabaya,” said PAN deputy chairman Yandri Susanto.
From a number of surveys, Risma is considered the strongest contender to Ahok, who will seek reelection in the Jakarta gubernatorial election on Feb. 15, next year. (bbn)
