TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Secretary General of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Eddy Soeparno, said that his party will not exercise politics of identity in the 2019 Presidential Election. "We as a party guaranteed not to promote any agenda related to politics of identity," Eddy said to Tempo on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

Eddy said that even if PAN's presidential and vice presidential candidate was supported by certain religious groups, it does not mean that the coalition will adopt an agenda related to politics of identity. "I think the public is fed up with the ongoing political fiasco, which does not present any solution. The public has also become smarter in voting,” Eddy said.

Chief of PAN Honorary Council Amien Rais has been often spotted to be close with the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab. Together with Rizieq, Aamin was adamant in promoting the ummah coalition, which he claimed will be supported by waves of ummah.

The coalition, which founded by Amien Rais, had received the support from the Fatwa Guardian National Movement (GNPF) Ulema Discussion. However, the support was being re-evaluated after Prabowo Subianto, refused to select one of two names recommended by the GNPF.

Following the promise to stay away from the politics of identity, PAN will be adopting a new tagline: 'Defend the People, Defend Ummah'. "This is our political stance as a party that upholds the reformation agenda and to represent the nationalist-religious community," Eddy said.

DEWI NURITA