TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Movement to Safeguard Ulema Edict (GNPF) insisted Gerindra Party chair Prabowo Subianto to choose vice presidential candidate based on the recommendation of Ijtima Ulema (Ulema meeting). GNPF head Yusuf Martak said GNPF has suggested two alternatives candidate for Prabowo.

“We have proposed two alternative candidates; Muhammad Arifin Ilham and Abdullah Gymnastiar,” said Yusuf in front of Prabowo’s residence in South Jakarta, Thursday, August 9.

Yusuf said the names were based on GNPF closed meeting. Earlier, GNPF recommended Chairman of PKS Advisory Council Salim Segaf Al Jufri and a religious figure ustad Abdul Somad. Later, Abdul Somad refused it.

According to Yusuf, GNPF would keep following the recommendation of Ijtima Ulema and that the background of Prabowo’s running mate must be a religious figure.

Yusuf further touched on the incumbent candidate Jokowi who chose Indonesia Ulema Council chairman Maruf Amin as his pair. “I don’t know if it’s true or not, and why Jokowi is smarter than us,” he added.

Yusuf explained GNPF suggested the alternative candidates because of their love for Prabowo. According to him, GNPF did not willing to see Prabowo losing the presidential race next year.

He claimed the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) had agreed with the two alternative names proposed by GNPF. However, he admitted doubting the National Mandate Party (PAN) would follow the recommendation.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI