TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of Islamic parties has continued to advocate the Axis Force (Poros Tengah) Volume II. United Development Party (PPP) Secretary-general Romahurmuziy said 14 meetings between Islamic parties had been held.
Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University Political analyst Gun Gun Heryanto said the coalition of "Leaders of Islamic parties cannot compete with (Jakarta Governor) Jokowi's electability," he said.
According to the analyst, the Axis Force has the potential to appoint a presidential candidate that has been suggested by nationalist parties such as Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). However, there is a high possibility the Islamic parties would only be 'bought' by nationalist parties in need of votes or chairs in order to propose their presidential candidates.
Political Communication Institute Executive Director Heri Budianto also viewed the Axis Force could actually compete with nationalist parties in the presidential election. The requirement is to appoint their candidate long before the election "so that their presidential candidate can be introduced to the public."
KHAIRUL ANAM | INDRA WIJAYA | PRAM