Jakarta Election: PKS, PKB, NasDem Eye Running Partner for Anies Baswedan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The spokesperson for the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Ahmad Mabruri responded to a request from the Deputy Chairperson of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Jazilul Fawaid, to discuss the vice governor candidate to run alongside Anies Baswedan in the Jakarta gubernatorial election. 

"Yes, let's discuss that together. God willing, PKS, NasDem, and PKB can agree on a lot," said Mabruri, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Previously, Jazilul said that his party had immediately agreed to nominate Anies Baswedan as a gubernatorial candidate in the Jakarta elections. However, PKB has yet to agree to nominate Sohibul Iman as Anies’ vice governor candidate as proposed by PKS. 

Jazilul believed many PKB cadres were at the same level as Sohibul and thus opened up opportunities for members of his party to run as vice governor alongside Anies Baswedan. 

Responding to Jazilul's statement, Ahmad Mabruri said party coalition must be based on trust and “not criticizing each other," he said.

Apart from PKB and PKS, the NasDem Party also backs Anies Baswedan as a gubernatorial candidate in the Jakarta regional head elections. The three parties are members of the Coalition of Change that backed Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar in the recent presidential elections. 

NasDem Secretary General, Hermawi Taslim, said his party supports Anies’ freedom to choose a suitable candidate for vice governor unconditionally. In response, Jazilul Fawaid reckoned NasDem also had its own considerations concerning Anies’ running partner. 

"PKB, PKS, and NasDem must sit together (to discuss Anies’ vice governor candidate),” he said last Monday. He also said the three parties’ support is sufficient to nominate a candidate for the gubernatorial election in Jakarta. 

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