7 Regional Heads Declared Support for Jokowi-Ma`ruf Amin in 2019

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Seven regional heads in the West Sumatra province ratified the declaration of their support for presidential and vice presidential hopefuls Joko `Jokowi` Widodo – Ma’aruf Amin in the upcoming 2019 presidential election.

The seven regional leaders consist of the Sijunjung Regent, Dharmasyara Regent, Pasaman Regent, Tanah Datar Regent, South Pesisir Regent, Mentawai Regent, and Bukittinggi Mayor.

Based on Tempo`s investigation, one out of the seven West Sumatra regional heads that have chosen to align with the Jokowi camp is a member of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Hendrajoni, South Pesisir Regent for the 2016-2021 administration.

“Yes, he supports Jokowi,” said Alex Indra, West Sumatra Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Regional Council (DPD) on Tuesday evening.

Read also: KPU: Jokowi Advertisement in Cinema Not Political Campaign

Furthermore, PAN Secretary General Eddy Soeparno said he is unaware of such declaration from one of his fellow party member. “I have yet heard of such news. I’ll immediately confirm it to the regional head,” said Eddy Soeparno when Tempo confirmed it earlier today.

Jokowi’s campaign team deputy Abdul Kadir Karding said that there are five regional heads outside of the initial seven that have declared their support for Jokowi but have yet officially ratified it. “They will informally support,” he said.

The following are the identities of the regional leaders that have chosen to support Jokowi-Ma`ruf in the 2019 election:

The people who have officially ratified their support:

1. Sijunjung Regent, Yuswir Arifin (Golkar)

2. Dharmasyara Regent, Sutan Riska Tuanku Kerajaan (PDIP)

3. Pasaman Regent, Yusuf Lubis (NasDem)

4. Tanah Datar Regent, Irdinansyah Tarmizi (Golkar)

5. South Pesisir Regent, Hendrajoni (PAN)

6. Mentawai Regent, Yudas Sabaggalet (PDIP)

7. Bukittinggi Mayor, Ramlan Nurmatias (non-party)

DEWI NURITA