PKS Hope Gerindra Submit Anies Baswedan as Presidential Candidate

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The president of Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Sohibul Iman does not dismiss the possibility that his political party will endorse the current Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and former West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan (Aher) as the party’s official presidential and vice presidential candidate in the 2019 Presidential Election (Pilpres).

“I really hope that if it does happen, Anies will be the presidential candidate from Gerindra and Aher as the Vice Presidential candidate from PKS,” said Sohibul at the PKS central board headquarters today, June 25.

According to Sohibul, the intention arose following the dynamic situation in the field and the aspirations from PKS members that were addressed to the party’s deputy advisory chairman Hidayat Nurwahid. 

“They said that if Anies Baswedan is willing to retreat from his position as Jakarta’s governor, it would be a shame to only submit as a vice presidential candidate, why not go the mile as a presidential candidate,” Sohibul reiterated; “Considering the struggles to become Governor of Jakarta.”

Sohibul then said that the talks were seriously considered as a logical suggestion. However, he further explained that PKS will go forward with its initial list of nine candidates where Anies Baswedan was not included.

PKS has yet decided the path it will take to face the 2019 Presidential Election, however, the party has been numerous times reported to be in close ties with Gerindra and the National Awakening Party (PAN). 

DEWI NURITA