A senior figure from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) revealed that Gibran is highly likely to participate in the regional head election in Jakarta in November 2024. PDIP politician Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus stated that his party has not yet discussed the possibility of Gibran running for governor, as they are currently focused on the 2024 general elections.

Support from political parties

Although the PDIP has not officially endorsed Gibran, several other parties have approached him. On Tuesday, June 20, Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar met with Gibran in Surakarta. Deputy Secretary-General of PKB, Syaiful Huda, stated that Muhaimin asked Gibran to team up with Muhammad Yusuf Chudlori, the Chairman of PKB Central Java.

Not only PKB, the Golkar Party also plans to endorse Gibran as a candidate for Governor of Central Java. Two Golkar politicians mentioned the name of Dico Mahtado Ganinduto, the Regent of Kendal in Central Java, as Gibran's running mate. Dico confirmed this information, stating that "perhaps there is a compatibility."

Gibran however, declined to comment on the possibility of running for Governor of Jakarta or Central Java.

Jokowi's in-law said to run for governor

In addition to Gibran, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, the son-in-law of President Joko Widodo, is also rumored to be considering a candidacy for Governor of North Sumatra in the upcoming elections.

Bobby Nasution, the current Mayor of Medan, also topped the survey for potential candidates for Governor of North Sumatra. According to the Charta Politika survey in October 2022, Bobby's electability stands at 35.1 percent, narrowly ahead of the incumbent Governor of North Sumatra, Edy Rahmayadi, who has a 34.3 percent approval rating.

However, Bobby has faced criticism regarding his performance in developing Medan city. In late April, a case involving a failed streetlight project worth IDR 25.7 billion emerged. During his visit to Medan in May, President Jokowi advised Bobby to improve his management of the city.

Similar to Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) cannot confirm Bobby Nasution's fate as a candidate for Governor of North Sumatra, even though both are members of the same party. "The regional elections are still far off," said PDIP politician Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus. Bobby, in several news reports, expressed his desire to complete his work in Medan.