The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, initially planned to announce the running mate for its presidential candidate, Joko Widodo, on Monday, but decided to postpone the event until the General Elections Commission releases its official tally on the national vote of the legislative election, which is scheduled for May 9.
Surya Paloh, head of the NasDem party, confirmed a candidate had been nominated, but declined to give a name, according to reports by Investor Daily.
Last month, the PDI-P struck a coalition with NasDem in the hope that the alliance partners would be able to agree on a running mate for the popular Jakarta governor.
“In my capacity as the secretary general of PDI-P, I have to follow the instructions set by our chairwoman,” Tjahjo Kumolo said, as quoted by Harian Terbit newspaper, referring to the party’s decision to delay their announcement.
“The vice presidential candidate should be able to work with the presidential candidate [nominated by] PDI-P and the NasDem party. We can’t just randomly choose someone; that person would need to understand NasDem’s restoration [goals] and the PDI-P’s ideological conception of Trisakti [political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency and cultural independence],” he added.
Tjahjo said in choosing his running mate, Joko had taken several aspects into consideration.
“Any vice presidential candidate approved by both the PDI-P and the NasDem party is willing to listen and work well with different officials from across the country. Our candidate should be able to absorb the people’s aspirations and, most importantly, implement the values of Trisakti.
“Hopefully, our [vice presidential candidate] can be announced after May 9,” Tjahjo said.
Meanwhile, the PDI-P has reached out and met with officials from the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI) to discuss that party’s support in Joko’s bid for the presidency in July.
Tjahjo said his party would soon arrange a meeting with PKPI chairman Sutiyoso, National Awakening Party (PAN) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar and PDI-P’s Puan Maharani to discuss their supporting roles in the presidential race.
Meanwhile, PDI-P officials met with their United Development Party (PPP) counterparts on Tuesday.
PPP deputy chairman Lukman Hakim Saefuddin said though he had been in touch with members of PDI-P, PPP was still open to building a political communication with other parties.
“The chances are equal for all,” he said. Markus Junianto Sihaloho.
Source/Fuente: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/pdi-p-name-vp-candidate-may-9/
