Dedi Mulyadi to Re-establish Communication with Ridwan Kamil

TEMPO.CO, Depok - Golkar West Java Chairman Dedi Mulyadi said that he has yet to communicate with Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil after the party withdrew endorsement for the 2018 gubernatorial election.

Dedi said that he is ready to re-establish communication channel with Ridwan "Emil" Kamil. Even more so because they earlier met at an event held by the University of Indonesia (UI). “I’m open and easy to reach by phone, by WhatsApp; there is no problem with communicating with anyone,” he said.

Read: Ridwan Kamil: Golkar's Support is Institutional Not Individual

The rumor that Golkar will once again nominate Emil has been responded lightly by Dedi. “Golkar never left,” he said.

On the plan to pair him with Ridwan Kamil, Dedi said that he could not comment on something that has not happened yet.

Golkar Party earlier endorsed Ridwan Kamil for 2018 West Java gubernatorial election. A recommendation was issued during the then chairman Setya Novanto's term. Newly appointed chairman Airlangga Hartarto, however, has canceled the decision. The party reasoned that Ridwan Kamil had failed to accept Daniel Muttaqien as his running mate as proposed by Golkar.

As for the replacement for Ridman Kamil, Golkar Central Leadership Board (DPP) continues to deliberate on it. DPP Golkar executive director Nurdin Halid said that anything can happen, including nominating Dedi Mulyadi in West Java election or allowing Daniel Muttaqien another chance.

IRSYAN HASYIM