Golkar Insists On Promoting Ketum To Become KIB Presidential Candidate, SMRC: Airlangga's Electability Needs To Be Boosted

Golkar Chairman Airlangga Hartarto (center)/PHOTO DOC: Nailin In Saroh-VOI

JAKARTA - The Golkar Party will continue to advance its general chairman, Airlangga Hartarto as the 2024 presidential candidate from the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB).

SMRC Research Director Deni Irvani assessed that, although in the 2019 Election Golkar received 12 percent of the vote, Airlangga's electability which was not optimal should need to be boosted.

"If we talk about Airlangga, as the general chairman, he certainly has a fairly large party voter base. From the previous election, it was around 12 percent, but this is not enough to ensure that Pak Airlangga's electability is competitive," Deni told reporters on Monday, August 22.

Deni explained, in a survey conducted by SMRC, Airlangga's electability was still unable to compete with other candidates. In fact, according to him, Airlangga's position is very strategic as a member of Golkar and also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

"Airlangga's positive trend is in the familiarity aspect which has increased, from 26 percent (March 2021) to 38 percent (August 2022). From those who know, only 61 percent like it. Airlangga's preference has increased from 48 percent in March 2022," he explained. .

With the aspect of character's fame, continued Deni, Airlangga in this case is still below 50 percent. Therefore, it still has to be boosted with more intensive political communication.

"Regarding political communication, socialization, it is concluded that it has not been effective in increasing electability. Awareness is still below 50 percent. Now, what has to be done varies greatly, starting from the use of social media to be evaluated and communication strategies," said Deni.

Deni reminded that the voting period of 'now' is so varied, it can be reached from various outlets ranging from popular mass media and social media. Political elites are also competing for the public's attention, especially those who are eyeing the presidential seat in the 2024 election.

Moreover, the Golkar Party is in the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) along with PPP and PAN. The Golkar Party itself agreed to advance Airlangga as a presidential candidate, but so far there has been no official statement about the presidential and vice presidential candidates from KIB.

Therefore, Golkar must work hard so that Airlangga's electability is able to compete with the names that are currently champions of the presidential and vice presidential electability survey. If not, KIB can choose other potential candidates to be carried in the 2024 presidential election.

"So many have suggested, amid the low electability of a number of political party elites, KIB can partner with someone who has a higher electability but does not have a position in the party," said Deni.