Observer: Erick Thohir Can Gather Entrepreneurs Vote for Jokowi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Erick Thohir as an entrepreneur and founder of Mahaka Group, a company that oversees media and entertainment business, was considered attributable to raise the vote for Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin in the 2019 presidential election. The statement was delivered by a political observer of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Indria Sumego.

“Erick Thohir has long been in the business world, so he surely has broader networks," Indria told Tempo via a phone call on Saturday, September 8.

Earlier on Friday, September 7, Jokowi officially appointed Erick Thohir as the National Campaign team leader of Indonesian Working Coalition (TNK KIK) at Cemara Post, Jakarta, after talks with his political partner, Ma'ruf Amin, the secretaries-general of the coalition party, and several related parties.

According to Indria, Erick Thohir could embrace his business partners to vote the incumbent in the 2019 presidential election. Erick is also considered to be able to strengthen business support for Jokowi-Ma'ruf pair.

Read also: Erick Thohir Reveals Reason Behind Decision to be TKN Chief

Indria related the matter to the 2018 Asian Games where Erick Thohir successfully led the event as the chief of the organizing committee (Inasgoc). According to Indria, that achievement was due to support from many business partners of Erick Thohir.

"In my opinion, Inasgoc is unlikely to gain success in holding such an Asian Games if it is not supported by entrepreneurs because we lack funds," Indria said.

According to Indria, proved by the success of the Asian Games that gained the world's attention, Erick Thohir's expertise in partnering with businessmen would increase the votes for the incumbent candidate in the upcoming presidential race.

Indria went on to say that Erick Thohir as a brave businessman who dares to take risks would enhance the campaign strategy to win over the opposition to embrace the votes of entrepreneurs.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA