The Declaration Of Presidential Candidates By Volunteers Is Only 'Checking The Waves'

JAKARTA - The declaration of presidential candidates for the 2024 General Election (Pemilu) by a number of volunteer groups is still limited to introducing popularity to the general public or "check the waves".

"This is because in order to nominate a presidential candidate, apart from having good electability and performance, one must also consider the support of political parties," said Executive Director of Flow Survey Indonesia (ASI) Ali Rif'an, quoted by Antara from a written statement, Wednesday, February 16.

Although the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections have only been held on February 14, 2024, a number of names have been declared by several volunteers to advance to the five-yearly democratic party.

Several names that stick out are also quite diverse, ranging from political parties, heads of legislative institutions, regional heads to ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.

"By early 2022, at least seven names have received support from volunteers," he said.

One of the figures from among the ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet is the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir, who received support to run in the 2024 presidential election from volunteers. One of these supports came from Buddy Erick, who is based in Lampung.

According to him, the volunteers assessed that Erick Thohir had a good performance. In addition, the achievements of former Erick are considered worthy of maximum appreciation.

In addition, the name of the Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) RI, LaNyalla Mahmud Mattalitti, also appeared, who received support from the Pasundan Bersatu community group in Bogor City.

The volunteer group considers LaNyalla to be a brave and unifying figure who is right to lead Indonesia, so that she deserves to be nominated as President in 2024, he said.

Furthermore, the Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar, who also received support to run for a presidential candidate in the 2024 Election. The support was not only from internal and wing organizations, but from outside the party such as the ethnic Chinese Community Benteng Tangerang City.

There is also the name of the General Chairperson of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, as well as the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, who received support from volunteer groups.

Among regional head officials, the names of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan and the Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil who were declared volunteers to run as presidential candidates in the 2024 Elections appeared.

"Anies is considered a potential figure for supporters, even though later Anies will still need the help of political parties," Ali explained.

Finally, there is a volunteer group calling themselves the Young Generation of Nusantara Fighters (Gema) Puan who declared the Chair of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani.

In addition to the names mentioned above, the names of the Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto and the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo also appeared.