TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Denny Iskandar, the Internal Deputy Secretary of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said the odds were overwhelming for his party to prevail in the general election this year. He added that PDI-P would even have a bigger chance to win the election if Jokowi ran for president.
“This year is our time, and our best cadre is Joko Widodo,” Denny said on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Jakarta.
However, Denny said albeit it was quite likely Jokowi would get PDI-P chair Megawati’s blessing to vie in the presidential race, the move would leave the party with an ensuing dilemma. On one hand, the Jakarta Governor would have to keep his word to spearhead the capital for five years with Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok. On the other hand, he added, Jokowi also had to part company with Ahok, whom he said was the governor’s ideal associate.
Denny added the governor actually did not have to resign from his post if he was indeed declared as PDI-P’s presidential hopeful. Referring to the Law No. 42 on Presidential Election, he said that any regional leader willing to run for president was allowed to propose a leave as opposed to resigning.
“It’s just a possibility. If he was not elected [as president], Jokowi could return to his post as governor,” Denny said. “But Ahok must be promoted as [Jokowi’s] vice president, because they are a perfect match,” he added.
REZA ADITYA
