Jokowi Touches The 2024 Presidential Candidate, Sandi: Still Too Early

Joko Widodo (Instagram @jokowi)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party Board of Trustees, Sandiaga Uno, did not think much about President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) 's statement, which signals he has the opportunity to become a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 elections.

When asked about his readiness to run for the presidential election contest, Sandi did not give a definite answer. "It's still too early," said Sandi when met at the Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel, Central Jakarta, Sunday, December 26.

The former deputy governor of DKI thinks that the narrative of political contestation in 2024 is still too far away to be discussed. According to him, the most important thing at this time is to reunite the two camps that were divided by the 2019 Presidential Election.

"We just focus on real work, wherever we are, whether I am outside now, or whoever is in this government is given the opportunity to work in real terms to contribute to the nation," he explained.

Apart from Sandiaga, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is often echoed as a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential election by his supporters. Just like Sandi, Anies was also reluctant to comment regarding Jokowi's candidacy signal to his former partner in the 2017 DKI Pilgub.

"Hehe, we are taking care of Jakarta, that's enough," he said.

Sandiaga Uno (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

Previously, Jokowi had signaled his support for Sandiaga Uno in the 2024 presidential election. This signal was conveyed by Jokowi while attending the inauguration of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Central Executive Board which was also attended by Sandiaga Uno at Raffles Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 15.

In his speech Jokowi admitted that he did not memorize the names of former HIPMI heads with the exception of Sandiaga Uno. "What I respect seniors of HIPMI, the former chairman of whom I cannot mention one by one, I only memorize one Mr. Sandiaga Uno," said Jokowi.

Continuing, Jokowi suddenly warned Sandiaga, "Be careful 2024."