PDIP Admits That They Discussed Ahok's Name For The 2024 DKI Gubernatorial Election

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) while attending the presidential inauguration ceremony October 20, 2019 at the Parliament complex (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the PDIP faction of the DKI DPRD Gembong Warsono admitted that the DPD PDIP DKI had discussed a number of figures who had the opportunity to become candidates for DKI Governor in the upcoming 2024 Pilkada. One of the names that entered the exchange was Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok.

"There are discussions internally (Ahok's name is included in the Jakarta gubernatorial candidate market)," said Gembong at the DKI DPRD Building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, January 11.

However, the Deputy Chair of the DPD PDIP DKI Election Winning Division admitted that his party could not decide which candidate they would carry in the 2024 DKI gubernatorial election. The DKI PDIP DPD only provided input regarding the criteria for the right candidate to lead Jakarta.

"About the name that determines the general chairman of the party's DPP. We haven't jumped on it (the choice of figures). However, we will provide input to the DPP before deciding. This is the problem in Jakarta," said Gembong.

Previously, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto had talked about his party's chance to bring back Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok in the 2024 DKI Pilkada.

Although he did not speak explicitly about the certainty, Hasto said that Ahok had no desire to run again in the Jakarta gubernatorial election. He said Ahok wanted to travel around Indonesia, teaching leadership to all cadres in remote parts of the country.

"Pak Ahok wants to teach all corners of Indonesia, teach PDI-P members and cadres, how to take leadership that dares to face risks, leadership that builds Jakarta firmly, without compromise," Hasto told reporters, Friday, January 7.

Hasto also agreed. According to him, the character needed to lead Jakarta is a leader who dares to be firm, a leader who dares to expose various things that harm the interests of the people.