Ma'ruf Amin Becomes Jokowi's Vice Presidential Candidate In History Today, August 9, 2018

JAKARTA History today, seven years ago, August 9, 2018, President Joko Widodo announced the General Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Ma'ruf Amin as his vice presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election. Jokowi considers Ma'ruf as a big religious figure who cares about the welfare of the Indonesian people.

Previously, the dynamics of choosing the Jokowi pair was full of twists and turns. Big names were paired with Jokowi. At least the pair can boost votes in political contestation. Mahfud MD's name was heard and lost.

President Jokowi's desire to run in the presidential election is unbearable. He has received the blessing of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). This narrative makes the party and its coalition busy finding the right companion for Jokowi.

This matter cannot be taken lightly. Jokowi's opponent is again the same person: Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo has loyal supporters. Jokowi cannot be wrong in choosing a companion. This condition is considered to have a big influence.

The names of political figures finally surfaced. Usually political decisions are important, so it is a consideration in the election for vice president. People who are nominated are usually not far from those who have important positions in the party.

Names such as Airlangga Hartarto and Muhaimin Iskandar had time to fill in. However, Jokowi and PDIP are like traditional breakthroughs. Jokowi does not only want candidates for party officials. He needs a figure with high electability. Other political elites are also actively providing input to Jokowi and PDIP.

These inputs include emerging from the Vice President, Jusuf Kalla (JK). JK advised Jokowi to choose a vice presidential candidate who was able to boost votes. At least it can add up to 15 percent of the votes. JK considers this condition important. Because, the wrong step to choose a vice presidential candidate can be complicated.

"First, who can increase the couple's votes. Anyway, you have to add a minimum of 15 percent. People choose according to their similarities and closeness. So it's not a matter of relevance or irrelevant. The population of Java is 60 percent. If it's the same (Java), the average election in Indonesia, yes, of course, who can be elected in Java has 60 percent of the votes," said JK as quoted on the KBR website, July 17, 2018.

Recently, the name Mahfud MD was widely heard as Jokowi's vice presidential candidate. However, politics has its own dynamics. The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) was eliminated in the last moments of the announcement of the vice presidential candidate.

This condition is because Jokowi actually surprisingly announced Ma'ruf Amin as his companion on August 9, 2018. The MUI chairman was chosen by Jokowi because of his capacity as a scholar.

Ma'ruf is considered a nationalist and religious figure. Jokowi's appearance in pairs with Ma'ruf also received a big welcome from his supporters.

"By considering inputs and suggestions from various elements of society. So I decided and had obtained approval from coalition parties, namely the Indonesian Coalition. Work that the one who will accompany me as a vice presidential candidate for the 2019-2024 period is Professor Doctor KH Ma'ruf Amin. "

"A complete figure as a wise religious figure. In relation to diversity, Doctorate Professor KH Ma'ruf Amin currently serves as the Steering Committee for the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency," said Jokowi at a restaurant in the Menteng area, Jakarta as quoted by the BBC Indonesia website, August 9, 2018.