Proffering 3 Names Of Candidates For Menpora, Golkar Leaves Their Choices To Jokowi

Secretary General of Golkar Lodewijk F Paulus at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 14. (Nailin-VOI)

JAKARTA - Golkar Party DPP Secretary General Lodewijk F Paulus said his party had sent 3 names of candidates for Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) to replace Zainudin Amali to President Joko Widodo.

However, Lodewijk admitted that he did not know the names of the Menpora candidates proposed by Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto. Furthermore, he said, Golkar is just waiting for a decision from the President.

"Our Chairman has given it to the president (name of Menpora candidate, ed). We are just waiting for the president to choose which of the 3 proposed candidates. Let's just wait, it's in the chairman's pocket, I haven't had a chance to peek at it," said Lodewijk at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 14.

It is known that Zainudin Amali resigned as Menpora because he wanted to focus on managing national football after being elected Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

"The process is for Mr. Zainudin Amali to have reported to the chairman that he was resigning, after that, they had a meeting and there Mr. Amali submitted a letter of resignation to the president and it was accepted by the president," continued Lodewijk.

According to him, the three replacement names for Amali that were proposed by the Golkar chairman met the criteria requested by Jokowi.

"What is clear is that you have to be able to take care of youth and sports, right? That means he has access to youth and he also has access to how to improve sports. Moreover, we are so close to hosting the Under 20 World Cup. So, that's roughly his focus," said Lodewijk.

Based on the news circulating, the three names proposed by Golkar were, first, General Chairperson of the Central Executive of the Golkar Party Youth Generation (PP AMPG) Ilham Permana.

Second, one of the Expert Team for the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dito Ariotedjo. Dito is also the Chairman of Rans Sports and the former Chairman of DPP AMPI (Indonesian Youth Renewal Force).

Third, Member of Commission XI DPR, Putri Komaruddin. Puteri is the daughter of former DPR Speaker Ade Komaruddin for the 2016-2016 period.

Previously, the Deputy Chairperson (Waketum) of the Golkar Party DPP, Nurul Arifin, gave a leak regarding the figure of the new Menpora. His characteristics, said Nurul, are potential young people who are able to work and can realize their programs at Kemenpora.

"What is clear is that young people have potential, are able to work, are focused, and can realize their programs," said Nurul when confirmed by VOI, Wednesday, March 1.

In her upload on social media, Nurul also said that the Menpora must continue the existing program and have a grand national sports design.

"Certainly we have to be visionary, so that our world of sports and youth will progress. Next May, Indonesia will take part in the SEA Games in Cambodia. Success Kemenpora, bravo to Menpora," said the member of Commission I of the DPR.

Regarding the certainty of one name being proposed to Jokowi, Nurul asked the public to wait.

"Just wait," said Nurul.