Lack Of Muslim Voters Representation, So There Is A Lack Of KEY If The Ganjar-Airlangga Duet Is Carried Out

Ganjar Pranowo (left) and Airlangga Hartarto (Doc of Public Relations of the Central Java Provincial Government-Kemenko Coordinating Ministry for the Economy)

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy and Strategic Affairs (Indostrategic) Khoirul Umam assessed that the strengthening discourse on the suspension of Ganjar Pranowo and Airlangga Hartarto duets by the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) proved the direction of politics at the axis.

"The political orientation of the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) is increasingly unable to be covered up, even this coalition is indeed prepared to support Ganjar Pranowo," said Umam in Jakarta, Thursday, October 20.

It's just that, he said, there were two problems when KIB wanted to carry Ganjar Pranowo. The problem is related to the composition of presidential candidates (candidates) and vice presidential candidates (cawapres) and PDIP political positions.

"Ganjar-Airlangga is quite promising. However, there are two considerations that have not been calculated. First, is it true that PDIP wants to give Ganjar a blank check, by forgetting Puan Maharani just like that?," he said.

Umam said other issues related to the challenges Ganjar-Airlangga had to face on an electoral basis. According to him, both Ganjar and Airlangga do not represent Islamic politics. The two figures, he said, were closer to nationalist politics.

"Second, Ganjar-Airlangga is quite strong on the side of the nationalist ideology line," he said.

Umam said that KIB still has two Islamic-style parties, namely PAN and PPP, to deal with issues related to the Muslim mass vote base. However, the question is whether PAN and PPP accept the Ganjar-Airlangga duo to be carried by KIB in the 2024 presidential election.

"Given their support [KIB] for the composition of the presidential candidate who is heavier, the nationalist ideological line has the opportunity to influence the stance of their loyal voter base with an Islamic political pattern," he said.

Therefore, Umam assessed, the suspension of Ganjar-Airlangga has the potential to weaken PAN and PPP electoral support. This is the impact of KIB which is too inclined towards nationalist political lines.

"If PPP and PAN want to support, it means they are ready with all the consequences, including the potential split ticket voting which ultimately has an impact on weakening the loyal voter base of each Islamic political party," he concluded.