TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The chairman of East Java Regional Representatives Council of Democrat Party, Soekarwo, said most of the party’s board members supported President Joko `Jokowi` Widodo for the 2019 Presidential Election despite it was contrary to the decision of the party’s central board that backed Prabowo Subianto.
Soekarwo explained the data was concluded from the circular letter within the party regarding its cadres' choice on the presidential candidate in the regency and city. “As a result, most of [party’s member] take Pak Jokowi’s side. Secondly to Pak Prabowo,” he said in the Vice President office, Jakarta, Thursday, August 2.
He admitted the finding was different than the organization’s path. However, he said, everyone has his/her own notion. “The structural management goes there but each member has a different opinion,” he added.
The East Java Governor for the second term said other party’s regional councils also supported Jokowi and that he claimed to have not acknowledged the reason.
Asked about his own preference, the man who usually called Pakde Karwo reluctant to give a firm statement. He said he stayed with Democrat Party. “If asked about the choice, it’s a personal matter,” he said while laughing.
Meanwhile, the Nias Democrat Party branch chairman Sokhiatul Laoli found a similar condition. “A lot [of party’s member] choose Jokowi and adore him, even though we are Democrat [members],” he said.
He mentioned the Nias Democrat Party branch would let its members make their own decision considering the party could not force the choices.
VINDRY FLORENTIN