Indications Of Presidential Candidacy Strengthen, After 'Flap The Wings Of Diversity' PDIP Instructs Cadres To Distribute Food Items With Pictures Of Puan Maharani

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Maharani (Photo: 1ST)

JAKARTA - The PDIP faction of the DPR RI reportedly ordered its members to distribute basic necessities with bags with pictures of DPR Speaker Puan Maharani in their respective electoral districts (dapil) periodically during recess.

Previously, the PDIP faction also asked its members to put up billboards and billboards for Puan Maharani that read "Flap the Wings of Diversity" and Keep Faith, Keep Immune" in their respective electoral districts.

Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, M. Jamiluddin Ritonga, considered the order to strengthen speculation that PDIP will indeed carry Puan Maharani in the 2024 presidential election.

According to him, the efforts to involve the PDIP faction through the distribution of basic necessities and the installation of banners or billboards are clearly intended to boost Puan's electability, which is still low.

"The PDIP faction ordered its members to carry out these two activities, apparently with the blessing of the PDIP DPP. As an extension of the DPP, of course, the faction only dares to order its members if there is approval from the DPP," said Jamiluddin, Friday, December 24.

Jamiluddin said members of the PDIP faction will likely continue to receive assignments until the next presidential election. The 128 DPR members will be involved in increasing Puan's electability and winning her in the 2024 presidential election.

"Involving faction members to increase Puan's electability does not seem as easy as turning the palm of the hand. The case of installing billboards and billboards in all corners of the country has proven not to increase Puan's electability," he said.

It is also feared that the same thing will happen through the movement to distribute basic necessities. The people, said Jamiluddin, will accept it with joy, but that does not mean they will choose Puan.

"This has the opportunity to happen, because Puan is not present in real form. Puan is only present in the form of pictures on food packages," explained Jamiluddin.

According to Jamiluddin, such an approach is not suitable for most people in Indonesia. Indonesian people, especially the lower class, will feel flattered if they can meet directly with people who give something.

"They will see a face-to-face meeting as a form of respect. In return, they will gladly support those who respect them," he said.

"So, it is feared that the effort to distribute food with the picture of Puan through members of the PDIP faction will be like pouring water in the desert. The water runs out, but it doesn't leave any traces," said Jamiluddin.

Previously, a member of the PDIP faction of the DPR RI, Junimart Girsang, emphasized that the obligation to use Puan's photo in the groceries given to residents was a form of appreciation for the members of the PDIP faction of the DPR RI.

"When asked why the distribution of rice and basic needs is a picture of Puan Maharani? The answer is because we as cadres express our appreciation to her, the first female DPR RI Chairperson, as well as a leader figure that we are proud of and has proven to be very capable, intelligent and polite, able to command the DPR RI, and fostering the PDI-Struggle Faction, and this is undeniable," said Junimart when contacted, Thursday, December 23.

Not only that, Junimart said the obligation to provide basic food also departed from the figure of Puan who always asked all members of the PDIP faction to empathize with the people. According to him, all members of the PDIP faction have also agreed to share basic necessities.

"Puan Maharani is a very firm figure in reminding the representatives of the people in the PDI-Struggle Faction of the DPR RI to always empathize with the difficulties faced by the people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. sharing basic needs during the ongoing recess on a regular basis," he said.