Basuki Tjahaja “Ahok” Purnama (Ahok) has been considered by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) as a potential candidate for the North Sumatra Governor election.
Rapidin Simbolon, Chairman of PDI-P North Sumatra chapter, said that he has communicated with the former Jakarta Governor twice to discuss his readiness to run in the North Sumatra gubernatorial race.
“If the party instructs, not just North Sumatra, even Papua, I’m ready,” Rapidin said quoting Ahok as saying.
Rapidin said further that Ahok’s name was considered upon various deliberations and assessments of candidates deemed capable of leading North Sumatra.
Djarot Saiful Hidayat, PDI-P Chief for Ideology and Cadre Empowerment Affairs, revealed that Ahok was among the five names prepared by PDI-P to contest the North Sumatra gubernatorial election. The others are incumbent Governor Edy Rahmayadi, incumbent Deputy Governor Musa Rajekhsah, Regent of North Tapanuli Nikson Nababan, and Secretary of the PDI-P North Sumatra chapter Sutarto.
Meanwhile, Eriko Sotarduga, PDI-P Chief for Youth and Sports Affairs, said that Ahok is also among the eight names prepared by the PDI-P for the Jakarta gubernatorial race, along with among others Djarot Saiful Hidayat, Tri Rismaharini (Minister of Social Affairs), and former Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Andika Perkasa.
“These names are still under internal discussion within the party,” Eriko said.
He added that some names are also being considered for the North Sumatra race.
PDI-P names candidate for West Java Deputy Governor
In a separate development, the PDI-P West Java chapter is considering naming a candidate to pair with Ridwan Kamil in the 2024 West Java gubernatorial race.
Ono Surono, Chairman of PDI-P West Java chapter, said that the party is not aiming for the governorship as they have never won in West Java.
Ono cited that PDI-P is currently in intensive communication with Golkar Party and Ridwan Kamil to explore the possibility of him pairing with Ridwan Kamil in the 2024 West Java gubernatorial race.
“We realize it might not be feasible to aim for the number one spot. So, PDI-P is targeting the number two position, the deputy governor,” he said on Saturday, May 25, 2024).
Despite ongoing political lobbying, Ono however noted that the final decision depends on the party’s mechanism. Meanwhile, the naming of Ridwan Kamil in the West Java gubernatorial election ultimately rests on Golkar’s decision.
In several instances, Golkar has signaled its intention to nominate Ridwan Kamil as a candidate for the Jakarta gubernatorial race in 2024. However, survey results indicate his electability in West Java remains very high.
