General (Retired) Andika Perkasa, A Vice Presidential Candidate for Ganjar Pranowo?

Andika Perkasa. (Doc. VOI)

It is clear where the former TNI Commander General (Retired) Andika Perkasa will have a career after retiring. He has openly stated that he is involved in politics. PDIP is the party of choice where he anchors. although it is not yet clear whether he has become an official member of the party.

Publicly Andika stated his support for Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate. He prefers Ganjar over his former boss in Special Forces Prabowo Subianto, and former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan.

When visiting the VOI editorial office with his wife, he showed a straightforward and humble attitude. General Andika casually answered when asked about his intention to enter politics and become a vice presidential candidate alongside Ganjar Pranowo. The name of General (Retired) Andika himself is included in the radar for the vice presidential candidate from the PDIP who will partner with the Governor of Central Java. Of the five names mentioned by the chairman of the PDIP, Puan Maharani, Andika's name was included as one of the potential candidates.

General Andika Perkasa's potential as a vice presidential candidate is not just speculation without basis. He has extensive knowledge on a wide range of issues, ranging from the military to economics, health, social, and geopolitics. When talking about these issues, he displayed deep understanding and excellent communication skills.

General Andika's desire to become a vice presidential candidate alongside Ganjar Pranowo was conveyed clearly without seeming ambitious. But his commitment and readiness to be involved in the dynamics of Indonesian politics can be felt.

There are other advantages to General Andika, he does not create negative sentiments in his description. He looked up to all leaders from the Soekarno era to the present but emphasized that policies must continue to be perfected. He also understood the importance of relations between countries, especially with China and the United States, and stated that cooperation with the two countries must be kept in balance.

From the family side, General Andika Perkasa is known as a man who really loves his wife and family. His romantic attitude and concern for the family is a plus in his personality. His children are also successful in education, with their eldest son and second daughter both becoming doctors and the youngest having just graduated from business school.

Regarding mentality as a soldier, General Andika is not in doubt. However, the interesting thing is that he held the rank of lieutenant colonel for 11 years before rising to colonel, which according to his wife was the longest duration in Indonesian military history. His ability to hold back and face every journey of life with his wife is the pillar of his success.

Don't ask questions about firmness. One example is how he allowed children of PKI descent to join the army. Likewise when deciding Aprilia Manganang, from a woman to a man with the name Aprilio Manganang. Including how to correct the height requirements to enter the TNI.

Then what about Ganjar Pranowo himself? The presidential candidate from the PDIP has not yet answered who will accompany him. This is understandable because in PDIP the prerogative right to determine presidential and vice presidential candidates rests with the General Chairperson, Megawati Sukarnoputri. And, the chairperson has not decided or has not mentioned a name.

Although there is no certainty regarding the vice presidential candidate who will accompany Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 Presidential Election, as a former Army Chief of Staff and TNI Commander with a series of academic titles Retired General Andika Perkasa has shown potential and is a figure to be reckoned with on the Indonesian political stage. Moreover, the name is also popular. Because he often holds his wife's hand, he also becomes a mother's idol as a symbol of a loyal man who loves his family.