Golkar's Attitude In Responding To Rumors Of Gibran Accompanying Prabowo In The Presidential Election, Wait For Rapimnas

Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka gave a statement to reporters in Surakarta City, Central Java, Monday (16/10/2023). (ANTARA/Aris Wasita)

JAKARTA - The Golkar Party proposed the name of General Chair Airlangga Hartarto as a candidate for vice president (cawapres) accompanying Prabowo Subianto. However, the name Airlangga turned out to have to compete with other candidates such as SOE Minister Erick Thohir, proposed by PAN and Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who had been passed by the Constitutional Court (MK) regarding the age limit for being vice presidential. So, what would Golkar's attitude be if Gibran was elected as Prabowo's vice presidential candidate? Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party, Melchias Marcus Mekeng, emphasized that the decision regarding the Golkar proposed vice presidential candidate will be discussed in the upcoming Rapimnas. Because he said, if Airlangga failed to run in the 2024 presidential election, the chairman must convey it at the Rapimnas forum. "That's the mechanism that must go through rapid health. Because rapid nationals have decided to move forward from Golkar, Airlangga. So if Airlangga does not advance, Airlangga must convey it at the rapid national forum, and that rapid national forum will determine the position of Golkar in the future, that's how it will be," said Mekeng when contacted, Tuesday, October 17. Regarding the opportunity for Golkar to nominate Gibran as vice presidential candidate, Mekeng emphasized that he had to wait for the results of Rapimnas. So far, he said, there has been no discussion regarding this matter internally in Golkar. "Right now, there isn't even one yet, what do we want to say? Right, this doesn't exist yet, the process hasn't been, it's neat, what do we want to talk about?", said Mekeng.

Although the lawsuit for the age limit for the vice presidential candidate is at least 40 years unless he has served at least as regional head, Mekeng once again emphasized that Golkar's attitude is still waiting for the Rapimnas event. "Yes, it will be at the rapimnas who will decide. The Rapimnas will be attended by all DPP and all DPD administrators level 1. Now there, the forums will decide," said Mekeng.