PDIP Cadres Cannot Refute Megawati's Recommendation Regarding The Pilkada

JAKARTA - PDI Perjuangan is again in the spotlight in several 2020 Pilkada. Because there are two families of President Joko Widodo who participated in the event. It is Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka who is running for the Solo City Pilkada and his son-in-law Bobby Nasution in the Medan Pilkada.

What's interesting is when Gibran got stuck in registering as a candidate for mayor of Solo. This is because the PDIP Surakarta DPC already has names for the mayoral candidates, namely Achmad Purnomo and Teguh Prakoso. The two names were also decided by the PDIP Surakarta DPC Chairman FX Hadi Rudyatmo.

However, not long after the verdict was issued, Gibran visited the residence of PDIP Party chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri in Teuku Umar, Menteng, Central Jakarta. The arrival of Gibran, to inform him that he will advance to be Pilkada in Solo.

Gibran finally decided to register through the Central Java PDIP DPD route in Semarang. When registering, he was accompanied by his wife, Selvi Ananda and his mother, who is also First Lady Iriana Widodo.

Pelita Harapan University Political Observer Emrus Sihombing said the party chairperson had the authority to determine the regional head candidates who participated in the regional elections.

Moreover, Megawati is a central figure in the party bearing the bull and white muzzle. So, he was sure, all cadres would obey and obey Megawati's orders.

"The general chairman as the holder of prerogative rights can provide recommendations in certain areas," said Emrus, when contacted by VOI, in Jakarta, Sunday, December 15.

Meanwhile, PDIP Deputy Secretary General Arif Wibowo said regional head candidates participating in the regional elections will be decided in plenary at the DPP. However, he added, it is not impossible that Megawati, as chairman of the PDIP, will use her prerogative to determine the candidates who will take part in the regional elections.

"(Candidates for regional heads) It will be decided at the DPP plenary meeting. However, we also cannot predict when Bu Mega will use her prerogative," said Arif, Friday, December 13.

Arif said that PDIP is a party that uses a guided democracy system. Therefore, cadres who do not agree with the decision of the general chairman are advised to rethink.

"If you don't agree (with the DPP and general chairman's decision), look for another party. Not from the PDIP," he said.

Arif explained, candidates for regional head could be proposed from the DPC or DPD to the DPP after the selection process in the regions. These candidates will undergo a series of tests held by the party, including psychological tests and interviews.

Furthermore, the registered cadres will also conduct tests to measure their loyalty to the party. In addition, the DPD or DPC PDIP will also conduct three surveys to measure the electability and popularity of candidates who register through the PDIP.

The results of the first survey must be submitted to the PDIP DPP by December 25. Then, the second survey will be held in February next year, and the last survey will be held at the end of May or early June.