PKS opens option to support Ridwan Kamil as long as its cadre becomes deputy governor candidate, PAN follows KIM's collective decision

Secretary General Of PAN Eddy Soeparno/DOK VOI-Nailin In Saroh

JAKARTA - PAN Secretary General Eddy Soeparno responded to PKS, which opened the option to join the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) Plus and also support Ridwan Kamil as a candidate for governor, if Anies Baswedan did not get the support of other political parties to run with Sohibul Iman in the Jakarta Pilkada. However, PKS requires its cadres to be RK's deputy governor candidate.

Eddy said, in principle, PAN is open if there are political parties outside KIM who want to join. However, the matter of the deputy governor candidatedecision, he said, would be decided collectively by the general chairmen in KIM Plus.

“We have talked about the context of KIM and KIM Plus. If KIM Plus later has other parties joining outside KIM, we will be open to that option, we will be happy to discuss the possibilities. But in time it will be decided together,” Eddy told reporters, on Thursday, August 8.

Eddy said that the KIM Chairmen would discuss the Jakarta Pilkada in stages. PAN as a member of KIM, he said, would follow the collective decision made by the chairmen.

“Yes, the point is that if it has become a decision of the chairmen in KIM, whatever the decision is, we are all committed to implementing the collective decision,” said Eddy.

Regarding when the KIM Plus Chairmen will gather to discuss the Jakarta Pilkada, considering that registration will take place on August 27, 2024, Eddy said the meeting will be held shortly. Currently, he said, it is being matched with the schedules of each Chairman.

“I think shortly, because the chairmen are ministers in the cabinet too, so they have their busy schedules,” said Eddy.

“But I think even if they cannot gather together, I think maybe one by one they can communicate with each other,” he concluded.

Previously, PKS spokesman said his party was discussing options to join KIM and support Ridwan Kamil in the Jakarta Pilkada.

“One of the communication options is also to build political communication with KIM where RK is their current definitive candidate. This option is being reviewed and discussed by the PKS DPP,” said Kholid.

This option arose because Anies had never received political party support to advance with Sohibul Iman in the 2024 Jakarta Pilkada. In fact, the deadline for Anies to seek additional support is 40 days, namely since the June 25 declaration of the AMAN pair.

According to PKS, this time is enough for Anies to work together to make this AMAN ticket sail.

“Mas Anies has been given a red carpet by obtaining 18 PKS seats. Even PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu went down the mountain to look for coalition partners for Mas Anies to fulfill the lack of seats. And we continue to pray that all endeavors will be facilitated,” said Kholid.

Therefore, Kholid added, PKS has two options. First, it is PKS's priority to ensure the AMAN pair sails.The second option is to open other options if the AMAN pair cannot sail due to a lack of seats.

“In both of the above options, PKS requires that its cadres must compete either as governor candidate or deputy governor candidate. God willing,” he concluded.