Jokowi Expresses Support for Yusril Ihza Mahendra's Run for Presidency

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi openly supports Yusril Ihza Mahendra if the latter wishes to run for president or vice president in next year's elections. According to Jokowi, Yusril is a politician with long and qualified experience.

Speaking at the national work meeting of the Crescent Star Party or PBB in Jakarta, on January 11, Jokowi said that when he ran for mayor in Solo, one of the parties that backed his campaign was the PBB. During the 2019 presidential elections, PBB also supported Jokowi.

"So if I want to give my support in return, it should be fine," the president said.

PBB Passes Factual Verification

PBB's secretary general, Afriansyah Noor, said that the party had always failed in the factual verification process for the legislative election. In fact, his party had filed two lawsuits because they always failed to take part in the elections.

"Pak Yusril even said that we shouldn’t have to file a third lawsuit. Thank God, in December 2022, PBB finally got a number; 13," he said. 

Although the national survey shows that PBB only has an electability rate of less than one percent, Afriansyah is confident the party can reach a four-percent vote, passing the minimum parliamentary threshold.

M Julnis Firmansyah

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