Puan Maharani Billboards Not Head Start on Presidential Campaign: PDIP

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP)'s general election campaign team, Bambang Wuryanto, has denied allegations that the nstallation of billboard posters showcasing House Speaker and daughter of PDIP chairperson Puan Maharani is a head start on the party's campaign for the 2024 general elections. 

He said the political posters were just meant to show their being proud of Puan Maharani and her position as the first female House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker. 

“Is there a form of campaign going on there? We never mentioned 2024,” said Bambang in an interview with Tempo. “Out of the 23 DPR Speakers, this is the only time it is filled by a woman. We are surely proud of that. This must be carried out wholeheartedly and simultaneously.”

Separately, PDIP deputy secretary-general Utut Adianto also denied that the installation of the billboard posters was meant to promote Puan Maharani for the 2024 elections. He explained that the decision to tap a presidential candidate from the party lay in the hands of PDIP chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Both Bambang Wuryanto and Utut Adianto claimed the plans to install the billboards were produced in a PDIP faction meeting at the DPR, where PDIP politicians agreed to put up the billboards for three months from July to September.

Read: House Speaker Puan Maharani Calls for Unity, Optimism Amid Pandemic

SYAILENDRA PERSADA