TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is ready to protect Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo from political attacks after the party chairperson, Megawati Soekarnoputri approved his presidential candidacy. "Many people do not like Jokowi," said Trimedya Pandjaitan, the PDI-P director, yesterday.

Trimedya said that attacks on Jokowi were normal because he was the ideal candidate. The attacks, even those involving the intelligence, are targeted at PDI-P as well, because according to Trimedya, PDI-P is a strong party. Last week, the party members reported threats and wiretappings against Jokowi.

Pressure also came from a group of people in the People's Anti-Corruption Front, who insisted that Jokowi must be investigated regarding the problematic Transjakarta bus project from China. Jokowi is also being attacked for Jakarta's persistent flood and traffic congestion problems.

However, PDI-P still has not officially declared its presidential candidate, although two names have become the frontrunners in the election, Jokowi and Megawati.

Out of the two, Jokowi's electability in different surveys has always been above Megawati. He is even favored to be a presidential candidate by other parties. Last week, a number of PDI-P politicians revealed that Megawati had given her approval for Jokowi to run for president.

BERNADETTE CHRISTINA MUNTHE | WAYAN AGUS PURNOMO | AHMAD RAFIQ