Presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who is nominated by a coalition led by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), secured support from former West Java Governor Solichin GP on Thursday.
He said support from such an influential local figure would be essential for his presidential bid.
“West Java is particularly challenging. The race will be pretty tough here. With support from all of you and Pak Solichin GP, I’m sure that we will win here,” Jokowi said.
He was speaking in front of thousands of supporters, who are grouped under the name Hejo — referring to “Hebat Jokowi-JK” (The great Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla) — at C-Tra sports center in Bandung, West Java.
Jokowi-Kalla campaign team member Teten Masduki admitted that the PDI-P and its coalition needed to work harder to win votes in West Java, the country’s most populous province.
“According to data, there are 34 million voters in West Java, half of whom are swing voters,” said Teten.
“It’s difficult to win votes, particularly in the southern part of West Java. However, the PDI-P and its coalition member parties are quite dominant in other parts of the province,” he added.
It was also said that residents of West Java are easily influenced by smear campaigns.
“They are easily influenced by Christianization-related issues,” Teten said, citing one example. He further said Jokowi should approach local religious leaders to address such issues.
West Java has been long known as a stronghold of the Golkar Party and the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). The two parties have joined with the Gerindra-led coalition, also comprising the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the United Development Party (PPP), which supports the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa presidential candidacy.
Source/Fuente: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/05/29/tight-race-w-java-jokowi-p...
