TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gerindra Party politician Kamrussamad considered President Joko Widodo or Jokowi's remarks about Sandiaga Uno as a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential election a mere gimmick. He opined such statements aimed at diverting public attention from sensitive issues and the government's works in the spotlight.

"Such as the scandal of Jiwasraya, Asabri, the premium hike of health insurance BPJS Kesehatan, the polemic of the plan to increase the three-kilogram LPG, and the failure of the government to protect Natuna territorial waters," Kamrussamad told Tempo on Monday, January 20.

However, Sandiaga who was former deputy governor of Jakarta is a potential figure to become a future leader, Kamrussamad said. But on the other hand, he thought Gerindra cadres will still nominate their chairman, Prabowo Subianto.

"Sandiaga is indeed recognized as a potential figure of future leaders," he said, "But for us as cadres, we still propose Prabowo."

On Wednesday, January 15, the President during his speech predicted that Sandiaga will potentially be his successor in 2024.

Refusing to mention a name, he only referred it to the person who just stood up. At that time, only Sandiaga was standing during the President's speech.

The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) General Budi Gunawan also made similar remarks on Saturday, January 19, the inauguration of eSports Indonesia management board at Kempinski Hotel Jakarta.

"We believe that with the support of eSports, millennial groups and Z generation will unite to win Sandiaga," Budi said.

Meanwhile on those two occasions, Sandiaga Uno said that the statement of Jokowi and Budi Gunawan were merely a joke.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI