There Are Still Strong Candidates To Replace Airlangga Hartarto Internally For The Golkar Party, Bamsoet And Agus Gumiwang

Agung Laksono/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Expert Council of the Golkar Party DPP Agung Laksono said several names who deserved to run for chairman of the party replacing Airlangga Hartarto.

Airlangga Hartarto in Jakarta, Sunday, announced his resignation as General Chair of the Golkar Party DPP as of Saturday night, August 10.

"Yes, there is Agus Gumiwang, there is Bambang Soesatyo, which means (both) are Golkar Party administrators, in the DPP now yes. Then, there are also other administrators, there is Mr. Bobby, there is Mr. Firman Soebagyo, many can be chosen from the management," said Agung Laksono when contacted in Jakarta, Sunday.

Agus Gumiwang, Bambang Soesatyo, and Firman Soebagyo currently serve as Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party DPP, while Bobby, who is said to be Agung, may refer to Golkar Party DPP chairman Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi.

Despite his proposal, he emphasized that it all depends on the choices agreed upon when the Golkar Party National Conference (Munas) after Airlangga resigned.

He explained that the plenary meeting on Tuesday, August 13 was to determine the schedule for the extraordinary national deliberation (munaslub) and the acting chairman (plt.).

"It's up to you later in the upcoming National Conference. However, now what I've heard since this morning, what I hear is that most (strong candidates, ed.) are Mr. Agus Gumiwang, who is expected to bring the party to the next congress," he said.

However, for Bahlil Lahadalia's name, Agung Laksono admitted that he had not heard of it.

"I don't know yet. We'll see in the future," said Agung Laksono.

Airlangga Hartarto, who was elected as General Chair of the Golkar Party DPP in 2019 for his term of office until the end of 2024, chose to resign early for two reasons, namely wanting to maintain the integrity of the Golkar Party and keep the atmosphere stable and conducive during the transition period of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo's administration to Prabowo Subianto's government as the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

So far, Airlangga has not explained further the reasons for maintaining the party's integrity. However, Agung Laksono said that his decision to resign was purely a personal attitude. The reason is, Airlangga did not discuss or consult first to internal parties or to his seniors in the Golkar Party before announcing his decision to resign as chairman.

"There is no pressure, the party does not pressure him. So, from his own wishes," said Agung Laksono.