Sandiaga, who currently serves as the tourism and creative industry minister in the Cabinet of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, was Prabowo’s running mate in the previous election, when they lost to the Jokowi-Maruf Amin pair by a wide margin.

The PPP announced its intention to nominate Sandiaga during the party’s 50th anniversary event in Malino, South Sulawesi, on Sunday. The party’s acting leader, Mardino, called Sandiaga a “national asset, a commander that could help the tourist sector faster compared with other nations”.

“We are expressing to him our highest appreciation. Is he worthy of becoming president or not,” he asked the party’s rank and file, who responded with a resounding “yes”, as reported by kompas.com.

In response to the PPP proposal, Sandiaga said in a statement that he would convey the party’s message to Prabowo, as the leader of his own party.

“I was in attendance [at the PPP event] at the invitation of the party’s acting leader and I will forward the said aspirations and messages. Of course, the decision rests with the political parties’ leaders,” he said.

Sandiaga is seen as one of the potential presidential or vice presidential candidates for 2024, though his electability rating is far below that of the frontrunners, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and Prabowo. Sandiaga, however, has served as running mates for both Prabowo and Anies.

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