Mbak Ita Maju Kembali Di Pilkada Semarang, Gerindra Siapkan Wakil Ketua DPRD Jadi Calon Wali Kota

Head of the Desk Pilkada DPC Gerindra Semarang City Joko Santoso shook hands with Yudi Indras Wiendarto (two from the right), an internal cadre projected to advance in the 2024 Semarang City Pilkada. (ANTARA/Zuhdiar Laeis)

The Semarang City Gerindra Party DPC has recruited two internal cadres to be selected in terms of capacity, readiness, motivation, and all to run for the 2024 Semarang City regional head election (Pilkada).

"Frankly, we did not open registration openly. When internal cadres were deemed possible, we invited them to run for the regional elections," said Head of the DPC Pilkada DPC Gerindra Party Semarang City Joko Santoso as reported by ANTARA, Monday, May 13.

There were already two internal cadres who were invited, namely Mualim who is also Deputy Chairman of the Semarang City DPRD and Yudi Indras Wiendarto (Vice Chairman of the Central Java Gerindra Party DPD).

Of the two internal cadres, he said, his party conducted an assessment of their readiness to capacity to contest the five-year regional democratic party.

However, Joko also did not close himself to external groups who wanted to advance from Gerindra, because some figures had communicated with the ranks of political parties bearing the Garuda bird symbol.

"We also invite candidates from outside who want to form a coalition or use Gerindra (political, ed.) vehicles. Pak Iswar (Secretary of Semarang City Iswar Aminuddin) is our first," he said.

After that, he said, there were several figures who were invited with a total of 11 people, including Soemarmo (former Mayor of Semarang), Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu (resistance), to Yoyok Sukawi (CEO PSIS Semarang).

From these names, both internal and external cadres will be discussed and selected by the team to then be determined to be submitted to the Central Java Gerindra Party DPD.

"This continues to grow, yes, the discussion process from the DPD when to submit recommendations. Later, initial recommendations will be made, and there will be final recommendations. We ask for two weeks," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the Central Java Gerindra Party DPD Yudi Indras Wiendarto admitted that he received an invitation from the DPC, especially the Pilkada Dec to discuss the projection of the 2024 Semarang City Pilkada.

"We'll just have a discussion. Of course, we as political parties are enough to have a role in how Gerindra in the Semarang City Pilkada can win. This is just preparation, then we will talk about how to map the Semarang City Pilkada," he said.

As one of the names of cadres considered by Desk Pilkada to be championed in the 2024 Semarang City Pilkada, Yudi admitted that he was ready with whatever the assignment from the party was, which would have been carefully calculated.

"Today we are still looking at the situation. If (Gerindra cadre, ed.) can be pushed to become mayor, yes, leave. If it is enough to become a representative, it must be accepted. This is a realistic thing in the Pilkada process," he concluded.

As previously reported, Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu (Mbak Ita) admitted that she received instructions from PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri to run again in the 2024 Semarang City Regional Head Election (Pilkada) contestation.

"Indeed, at first I didn't (will, ed.) run because there are children (who don't want, red) I don't run," said Ita, Hevearita's nickname, in Semarang as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 11.

Accompanied by his only son, Faras Razin Pradana or Juon, Ita, Hevearita's nickname visited the Semarang City PDIP DPC Office, Saturday, to take a registration form for a candidate for mayor.

Ita was met directly by the Secretary of the PDIP DPC Kadarlusman when taking the registration form and signing some of the required files.

"On the instructions or dawuh Ibu Ketum (Mega, ed.), I can run again as one of the female cadres in PDIP so that bismillah," he said.

He has also asked permission from his son who finally agreed to be able to move forward for the next five years as Mayor of Semarang.

"This is my spirit. Especially because there have been instructions and complaints from Mrs. Ketum and party seniors, both in the DPP, DPD, and DPC PDIP. Of course, this is a mandate that must be done," he said.