Agreeing With Aburizal Bakrie, Observer: Popularity Is Not The Only Barometer Determining A 2024 Presidential Candidate

Illustration of General Elections (Pemilu) simultaneously in 2024 which includes the Presidential Election (Pilpres) and the Legislatig Election (Pileg). (Between)

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Voxpol Center Pangi Syarwi Chaniago agrees that the criteria for the presidential election (Capres) for the 2024 presidential election are not only based on the level of popularity but also protect the nation. The criteria were conveyed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Golkar Party, Aburizal Bakrie. according to Pangi, popularity is not the only measure in determining the nation's leadership candidates. Apart from electability, it must also be accompanied by competence and capacity as a leader as well as a statesman.

"I agree with Aburizal Bakrie, that we are not enough just by electoral concoction to become a barometer in deciding presidential candidates," Pangi said, Tuesday, January 3.

If you only rely on electability without capacity, Pangi continued, you are worried that it will create problems for the nation in the future.

"On the one hand, electability is important because it becomes the capital to win. But on the other hand, when they do not have competence, do not have the capacity to become leaders, statesmen who can protect all levels of elements of citizens. That will also be a problem in the future," explained Pangi.

Nevertheless, Pangi considered that Aburizal's statement was not interpreted as a message to the General Chair of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, who was also promoted as a presidential candidate in 2024. "Because at this time, Airlangga's electability still has to be boosted and improved," he concluded.

Previously, Aburizal Bakrie conveyed the final record for 2022. One of them is related to the 2024 presidential election which should be a moment of continuation, improvement, and change for the nation.

According to Aburizal, the success that has been achieved by the previous government must be continued by the leaders for the 2024-2029 period. Meanwhile, policies that are considered lacking need to be improved.

"Thus, the 2024 presidential election does not only elect a presidential candidate because of his popularity, but also chooses a national leader who can protect all components of the nation," said Aburizal Bakrie, Friday, December 30.