Ma'ruf Amin Explains Jokowi's Reason For Raising Him To Be A Vice President In Today's Memory, January 21, 2019

JAKARTA Memories of today, six years ago, January 21, 2019, Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Ma'ruf Amin revealed the reason why Jokowi chose him as a vice presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election. The election was because Jokowi saw Ma'ruf as a Banten person, ulama, and cared for Indonesia's welfare.

Previously, Jokowi and his coalition chose Ma'ruf as vice presidential candidates to shock many parties. The election was carried out suddenly. Because, previously Jokowi had been predicted to elect another national figure, Mahfud MD.

President Jokowi's desire to participate in the political contestation of the 2019 Presidential Election cannot be dammed. His popularity is still high. His job as Indonesia's number one person is not entirely bad. Some consider Indonesia to have brought progress during Jokowi's first term.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and its coalition immediately declared Jokowi advanced. The decision was easy to guess. However, the matter of the election of the vice presidential candidate is difficult to predict. Various national figures are trying to match Jokowi.

The goal is for the figure of the vice presidential candidate to strengthen Jokowi's charm until many Indonesian people are chosen. Jokowi at that stage was paired with Mahfud MD. Jokowi considers Mahfud to be the right person to accompany him in the 2019 presidential election.

This desire arose in the mass media. They predicted that Mahfud's determination was just a matter of waiting for the day. Mahfud also gave a strong signal that he would be orbited as a vice presidential candidate. Mahfud is also ready to find the right clothes for the official announcement.

Problems arise. Dynamic politics made Jokowi and PDIP change their minds in the last second. The vice presidential candidate chosen by Jokowi was actually the famous cleric who led the MUI, Ma'ruf Amin on August 9, 2018. The announcement shocked the whole of Indonesia. In fact, Jokowi's opponent, Prabowo Subianto, was in a scene.

"After going through deep reflection and taking into account suggestions from various elements of society. I have decided and have obtained approval from coalition parties, namely the Indonesia Work coalition that the one who will accompany me as vice presidential candidate in 2019-2024 is Prof. Dr. KH Ma'ruf Amin," said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as quoted by the ANTARA website, August 9, 2018.

Jokowi chose Ma'ruf because of his background, experience, and example as a brilliant scholar. Jokowi also described Ma'ruf as a wise figure. Jokowi's answer is considered unsatisfactory for many parties.

Ma'ruf also had his own views on why Jokowi chose him. Ma'ruf explained three important reasons for Jokowi's choice on January 21, 2019. He considered Jokowi to have chosen him because first his status as a Banten person.

Jokowi has seen that there are no Banten people as vice presidential candidates. Jokowi also tried to open up the opportunity through Ma'ruf. Second, Jokowi saw Ma'ruf as a scholar. The selection of Ma'ruf is considered an important part that the Jokowi government glorify the scholars.

Jokowi not only asked for the support of the ulama, but asked the ulama to side by side in the government. Third, Ma'ruf is considered to have the same desire to build the nation and state. Ma'ruf is expected to support the government's agenda in the future for the welfare of the Indonesian people.

"If in the first period, Pak Jokowi is like setting foundation stakes, then in the second period it will build more optimally. Therefore, support Pak Jokowi for two terms," said Ma'ruf Amin as quoted on the tempo.co page, January 21, 2019.