PDIP Delays Announcement Of Candidates For Surabaya Mayor To Replace Risma

PDIP DPP Chairperson Puan Maharani during the online announcement of PDIP regional head candidates (Wardhany Tsa Tsia)

JAKARTA - PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) has again postponed the announcement of a candidate for regional head of the Surabaya Pilkada to replace Tri Rismaharini (Risma) who has served two terms. The postponement of the announcement was said to have occurred due to technical problems.

PDIP DPP Chairperson Puan Maharani emphasized that his party has obtained recommendations for candidates for Surabaya mayor. But the announcement was postponed because the East Java PDIP DPD and Surabaya DPC were not connected in the online announcement.

"Because it has not been connected, it will be announced at a time to be announced again," said Puan in the online announcement, Friday, August 28.

Puan emphasized that even though the postponement was carried out again, the recommendation letter signed by PDIP chief Megawati Sukarnoputri was ready to be submitted.

"So in relation to the city of Surabaya, the PDI-P DPP of course already has a name that will be included as a candidate for regional head and as a candidate for deputy regional head," he said.

"For information that the PDI Perjuangan is ready to advance in the city of Surabaya," added Puan.

Regarding the candidates in the Surabaya Pilkada, there are a number of names that have been deliberated internally in the PDIP DPP. One of them is the deputy mayor of Surabaya, Whisnu Sakti Buana who is also a PDIP cadre.

The PDIP candidate will face the former East Java Police Chief Machfud Arifin. In this battle, Machfud has received support from a fat coalition consisting of PKB, PPP, Nasdem, Golkar, Democrat, PAN, PKS, and Gerindra.

Previously, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said that his party had pocketed the names of the candidates for mayor and deputy mayor of Surabaya. Hasto said the pair was a combination of internal party cadres and figures from outside the party bearing the bull symbol.

Regarding the internal cadres who will be nominated, Hasto has not yet mentioned this name. However, he ensured that his party would listen to and carry out dialogue with community leaders, go down to the community, and conduct surveys.

"So that's where we know what the people's dream of a leader for the city of Surabaya will be who will replace Mrs. Risma who has served two terms," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the PDI Perjuangan Megawati Soekarnoputri admits that it is difficult to find a replacement figure for the mayor of Surabaya for the 2015-2020 period Tri Rismaharini, who will soon end his term.

According to Megawati, there is no doubt about Risma's performance as regional head. Thus, all elected regional head candidates will follow Risma's performance.

"Looking for Mrs. Risma is a burden for me, her struggle is extraordinary, her dedication has made the city of Surabaya a world famous city, because the heat from the city of Surabaya has dropped by two degrees, it's no joke, it's a tremendous job," he said.