TEMPO.CO, Surabaya - The coordinator of Islamic Student Alumni Association (KAHMI) presidium Mahfud MD said the organization will stand neutral in Jakarta gubernatorial election. He will not instruct the Islamic Student Association (HMI) cadres to support one of the candidates.
“We pray for [candidates] to compete well and to win it well,” Mahfud said Wednesday after an event marking the 50th birthday of HMI at Bidakara Hotel in Jakarta. He urged all candidates to act honorably during the election process. He said that many of its cadres may support Anies but HMI itself will not support any candidate.
Jakarta governor candidate Anies Baswedan and deputy governor candidate Sylviana Murni attended the event. Both are HMI alumni. In Jakarta election Anies is paired with Sandiaga Uno whereas Sylviana runs with Agus Yudhoyono.
Sylviana Murni said she was not concerned about having to compete with fellow KAHMI member. According to her, it means that HMI has been given a mandate which must continue to be upheld. “I have no problem with that,” she said.
ADITYA BUDIMAN
