Ridwan Kamil Gives Support For Airlangga To Become A Presidential Candidate: Budi's Reply To Golkar

Ridwan Kamil and Airlangga Hartarto

JAKARTA - The Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil supports the General Chair of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, to run as a Presidential Candidate (Capres) 2024.

This was said by Ridwan Kamil when he met Airlangga at the official residence of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, at the Widya Chandra Ministerial Complex, South Jakarta, Sunday, May 15 yesterday.

"First, of course, I support Pak Airlangga's ideals, his capacity is a big responsibility as the Coordinating Minister for the Economy," said Ridwan Kamil.

Kang Emil (RK) - as Ridwan Kamil is usually called - claimed to have returned the favor of the Golkar Party, because it had supported him in West Java when he was governor.

"If later there are political dimensions that may not be counted from now on, in the near future, I will return the favor to Golkar's support in West Java," said Emil.

When asked about the potential to accompany the Golkar Ketum for the 2024 presidential election, Kang Emil had not yet conveyed his readiness to accompany Airlangga Hartarto to compete in the 2024 presidential election. He admitted that he would give an answer when the time was right.

"It's not there yet, but if fate has reached that point, the question can also be answered easily, something like that," said the former mayor of Bandung.

Meanwhile, Airlangga Hartarto said that his meeting with Ridwan Kamil which lasted about 30 minutes was also colored by jokes. One of them is about the designation for RK.

"I told Mr. RK earlier, the abbreviation RK means 'Rada Kasep'," said Airlangga to Ridwan Kami.

Emil greeted him with a smile. Then Airlangga explained that the meeting discussed several things, ranging from economic and infrastructure development in West Java to political developments in Indonesia.

"Of course in our conversation we discussed other things, current political developments, where of course Pak Emil as the Governor of West Java is also supported by the Golkar party so that his work can run smoothly," said Airlangga.

When asked about whether the meeting discussed the 2024 Presidential Candidate (Capres), Airlangga Hartarto ensured that it would be discussed collectively with the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) consisting of the Golkar Party, PAN, and PPP.

"All of us will be discussed collectively with KIB." Airlangga said.

Airlangga ensured that KIB is currently an open medium for all developments and political dynamics that exist ahead of the 2024 General Election.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy also ensured that the Golkar Party would continue to support Ridwan Kamil's performance in West Java.

"Golkar appreciates Mr. Emil's achievements and we want to keep the projects that have been made by the President, can be guarded until 2024. To oversee that the coalition will be able to accelerate it," said Airlangga.