TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Voxpol Center Research and Consulting Executive Director Pangi Syarwi Chaniago argues that Prabowo Subianto’s political rival intentionally wants Gerindra Party to take the Jakarta Deputy Governor seat as it would create conflict between Gerindra and PKS.

The two political parties are currently in the same political coalition for the city’s 2019 general election.

“[Imagine] if Gerindra’s candidate gets the Jakarta Deputy seat, there is a possibility for Prabowo to lose votes in Jakarta,” said Pangi Syarwi Chaniago on Thursday, March 7.

Read: PKS: Letter on Deputy Governor Candidate Awaits Prabowo Signing

Jakarta, said Pangi, is one of the election’s primary battleground other than Central Java, East Java, West Java, and Banten. Jakarta’s 8 million voters are considered by each presidential candidates to be significant compared to other provinces.

He argues that the support for Prabowo – Sandiaga Uno can be greatly reduced if Gerindra continues to submit their candidate for the Jakarta Deputy Governor seat and cause the PKS to withdraw support for Prabowo.

As of now, PKS has submitted two of their candidates to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan who officially handed it over to the Jakarta Council (DPRD). PKS sent their letter to the governor without the presence of Gerindra representatives.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA