PDIP's Response When Jokowi Is Considered To Have Chosen Ganjar For The 2024 Presidential Election

Ganjar Pranowo/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is considered to have made his choice to provide support for the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres).

This support was implied when Jokowi attended the V Projo National Work Meeting in Magelang, Central Java. The event was also attended by the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo. In his speech, Jokowi advised not to rush in making choices. However, he signaled support for someone he said was present at the event.

"Regarding politics, don't rush political matters, even though maybe the ones we support are here," said Jokowi, Saturday, May 21.

"It's been said, don't be in a hurry. It seems like this is going to be rushed," Jokowi continued.

In response to Jokowi's signal, Executive Director of Charta Politica Indonesia Yunarto Wijaya assessed that Jokowi's speech about "maybe we support is here" was directed at Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.

Because, he said, only Ganjar was included in the top survey radar for the 2024 Presidential Candidates who attended the National Working Meeting.

"I see this as the beginning of a strong symbolic language, let's say this is the direction of support for Mr. Ganjar," Yunarto said in a written statement, Sunday, May 22, 2022. "I don't know if the choice of Magelang is a symbol, I still can't explain," he continued.

Yunarto explained that Ganjar had the highest popularity and electability rating among the figures named in the credible survey institutions. Ganjar, according to him, is also often referred to as Jokowi's successor as President for the 2024-2029 period. "Ganjar has the highest rating and when asked about Ganjar's brand association, he is indeed considered the strongest successor to Jokowi compared to other names," he explained.

PDIP Response

PDIP has a different interpretation that President Joko Widodo is implying a message of support for Ganjar Pranowo for the upcoming 2024 presidential election (Pilpres).

PDI-P spokesman, Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus, said that President Joko Widodo's phrase 'don't rush' meant that volunteers would not have to rush to get involved in the presidential election contest.

"He asked the volunteer groups to be patient because the general election is still far away, so it is too early to talk about the 2024 Pillres," said Deddy, Sunday, May 22.

Deddy said President Jokowi was wise so that the political atmosphere and the running of the government could be effective until the end of the period.

"Especially now is a crucial period considering that we have just come out of a pandemic and global conditions marked by conflict have caused economic pressures in all countries," he said.