JK Gives Input On Anies' Vice Presidential Candidate, NasDem: The Criteria Are Figures From East Java

The 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK) (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The NasDem Party responded to the statements of the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), who claimed to have provided input on the name of the vice presidential candidate (cawapres) to the prospective presidential candidate (readpres) for the Change Coalition for Unity (KPP), Anies Baswedan. NasDem said that JK's proposal regarding the Vice Presidential Candidate Anies was still just a criterion, namely considering figures from East Java.

"Mr. JK is input, the criteria are, if we have to be people from East Java," said Deputy Chairperson of NasDem Ahmad Ali, Monday, March 27. The reason JK considers figures from East Java, said Ali, is to help Anies fill the sound barn which is considered weak. Like East Java and Central Java.

"Mr. JK also discussed several times, his tendency was to choose representatives who could fill the void in areas where Mr. Anies was weak in his voice. We cannot cover up that today Mas Anies is in Central Java, East Java, it is weak. So, if Mas Anies wants to win the contestation, he has to cover his weakness," Ali explained.

According to Ali, it is difficult for Anies to win if he does not take the pockets of votes in Central Java and East Java. This is because the two areas are the most populous.

"Look, if people want to win, East Java and Central Java have a lot of population. If that's not a consideration, I'm pessimistic that Mas Anies can be the winner," said Ali.

Even so, Ali was reluctant to confirm that the figure in question was the Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa.

"If we don't talk about names, we will talk about the criteria. If the name will be subjective, later the political party will formulate, Mas Anies will decide," he said. Previously, former vice president and senior Golkar Party politician Jusuf Kalla admitted to proposing the name of the vice president to Anies. However, JK handed over the decision to Anies as a presidential candidate.

"Yes, it will definitely depend on Mr. Anies, which parties, which ones are suitable," said JK after opening together at NasDem Tower, Jakarta, Saturday, March 25.

JK also only revealed the criteria for Vice Presidential Candidates that are suitable to accompany Anies. Figures who become vice presidential candidates, he said, must be able to boost votes and cooperate with Anies.

However, JK did not want to answer whether the name proposed to Anies was the Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa. "Not yet," said JK briefly.