Javanese And Outside Java Representatives, Indicators: Prabowo-Erick Is More Indonesian

Prabowo Subianto and Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's Main Political Indicator Burhanuddin Muhtadi said the election of Erick Thohir as a vice presidential candidate would make the Prabowo-Erick pair an advantage over the representation of Java Island and outside Java Island. This is different from the Anies-Muhaimin pair from Java Island, as well as Ganjar-Mahfud MD, although Burhanuddin assesses that Madura is also not part of Java Island.

"From an electoral point of view, Erick is indeed more Indonesian," said Burhanuddin when presenting the survey results entitled "The Shift in Party Support and Presidential Candidates ahead of the 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidate Registration" in Jakarta, Friday, October 20.

Burhanuddin conveyed that Erick has an equal advantage in a number of areas and is not fixated on one area. This distinguishes him from Ridwan Kamil and Khofifah Indar Parawansa, which only have a local support base.

"Erick Thohir is relatively strong everywhere, that's why I call it more Indonesian. In East Java, he is strong, in Central Java, it is also good, in West Java number two he only lost to Ridwan Kamil," said Erick.

However, Burhanuddin said the final decision remained with the coalition parties to decide Erick to become Prabowo's vice presidential candidate.

Harvard University researcher Seth Nathan Soderborg said Erick Thohir was the right choice for Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 presidential election contestation. Seth assessed that Erick's closeness to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) was a value more than Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Seth considered the NU crucial factor in determining the victory in the presidential election. Seth said Erick was the best option for Prabowo if he wanted to beat two other couples who had partnered with NU representatives as vice presidential candidates.

"Erick is more clear about his relationship with NU and Islamic organizations. If Prabowo wants to join the strategy like his opponent, maybe Erick is more suitable for that," said Seth.