TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla asserted that he would refuse to be nominated for the Vice President candidacy to accompany President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), even though he is the most qualified person for the position.
According to Jusuf Kalla, there are two main criteria for the future vice president accompanying Jokowi. Jusuf Kalla also said that the person must be known among the public to boost the electability of his running mate.
“What I mean is that he should not follow Jokowi’s electability, but add more constituents,” said the Vice President at in Jakarta on Monday, February 26. “Basically, the figure must be a popular one.”
Read: Jusuf Kalla to Decline Vice Presidential Post
Jusuf Kalla added that a vice president candidate must also have experiences as a bureaucrat or politician, which are important to assist the president in serving his tasks.
President Jokowi is currently supported by several political parties to lead Indonesia for another term. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) stated that they are ready to endorse the former Mayor of Solo and is now searching for the perfect vice-presidential candidate.
Read: Jusuf Kalla Will Not Run in 2019 Presidential Election
Jusuf Kalla stated that the possibility of him filling the vice president’s position is hampered by Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution stating that a president and vice president can only run office for two administration periods.
President Jokowi has not yet revealed his vice-presidential candidate and said that he will continue to communicate with coalition parties supporting him.
VINDRY FLORENTIN
