Asked To Join The Presidential And Vice Presidential Candidate Team For The 2024 Election, Khofifah: I'm Still Active Governor

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa when interviewed by a number of journalists in Bakorwil Jember, Sunday (5/11/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Jember)

JAKARTA - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa was reluctant to comment much on his certainty of joining the success team or winning presidential and vice presidential candidates in the 2024 election. "Wes ta rek (already friends), I'm still the effective governor, that's why, allow me to complete this task as best I can, as much as possible, thank you," he said briefly when met by reporters after following a healthy walk in Bakorwil Jember, Antara, Sunday, November 5th. Khofifah was reluctant to comment much and chose to leave reporters to continue her cheap market review activities in commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of East Java Province. However, the former Minister of Social Affairs also emphasized the importance of maintaining the conducive situation of East Java in the political year, one of which is by strengthening the spirit of brotherhood among all elements of society through a healthy way. "In the political year, alkaliran (brotherhood) must be built as hard as possible, one of which is through a healthy way," he said. Previously, a number of political party coalition teams that carried the pair of presidential and vice presidential candidates Anies-Muhaimin, Ganjar-Mahfud, and Prabowo-Gibran were scrambling to get Khofifah included in the winning team for the presidential and vice presidential candidates. PKB DPP chairman Daniel Johan gave a signal to Khofifah if she wanted to join Anies-Muhaimin (AMIN) then that choice would not be wrong because the AMIN pair represented Nahdliyin culture. Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of Gerindra Habiburokhman claimed that Khofifah would immediately join the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team because her party had lobbied with the Governor of East Java. Ganjar Pranowo said that his party would withdraw Khofifah into the winning team and PDIP General Treasurer Olly Dondokambey explained that someone had communicated regarding this matter with Khofifah. The General Election Commission (KPU) of the Republic of Indonesia has received registration of three pairs of candidates for president and vice president for the 2024 election, namely Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar, Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD, and Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The Anies-Muhaimin pair was promoted by the NasDem Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and the Ummah Party. The Ganjar-Mahfud pair was promoted by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo), and the People's Conscience Party (Hanura). Meanwhile, the Prabowo-Gibran pair was promoted by the Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), the Golkar Party (Golkar), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Democratic Party, the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the Indonesian People's Wave Party (Gelora), the Garda Party of the Republic of Indonesia (Garuda), and the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), as well as the People's Fair and Prosperous Party (Prima) who did not qualify to participate in the 2024 General Election.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has determined that the election campaign period will take place from 28 November 2023 to 10 February 2024, while the voting is scheduled to be held on 14 February 2024.