TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Great Indonesia Movement Party [Gerindra] secretary-general Ahmad Muzani stated to will declare Prabowo Subianto as a presidential candidate on April 11, 2018. As for his companion, Gerindra is still assessing several names.

“Pak Prabowo suggested us to be patient in this matter,” said Muzani in Prabowo’s residence, Monday, March 26.

Read also: A Pollster Studies Possibility of 3rd Candidate in 2019 Election

According to Muzani, the nomination of names to be Prabowo’s running mate is related to its party coalition. Gerindra needs to form a coalition since only has 73 legislative seats in parliament as to meet the presidential threshold of 20 percent legislative seats as regulated by Law.

The party’s advisory board Djoko Santoso stated Gerindra put the decision into the hands of Prabowo. Djoko claimed several names have been proposed to accompany the party’s chairman in the 2019 Presidential Election. He asserted the best match for Prabowo should not be from military sector. “(the VP candidate) should be a civilian,” he said.

On Monday night, March 26, Gerindra officials gathered to celebrate Ahmad Muzani who assigned as deputy chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Edi Prabowo as the floor leader.

A number of figures attended the celebration in Prabowo’s residence including Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Sandiaga Uno, Desmond Mahesa, and Rahmawati Soekarno Putri.

CHITRA PARAMAESTI