Ben-Pilar Spokesperson Affirms Benjamin Remains In Line With Airin

Candidate for mayor of South Tangerang (Tangsel), Benyamin Davnie (ANTARA)

TANGERANG - Spokesperson for the campaign team for the candidate pair for mayor and deputy mayor of South Tangerang (Tangsel), Benyamin Davnie and Pilar Saga (Ben-Pilar), Mohamad Robert Usman, emphasized that Benjamin is still in line with the candidate for governor of Banten, Airin Rachmi Diany.

"We believe Mr. Ben is still part of the South Tangerang residents who have been growing up with Mrs. Airin Rachmi Diany," said Robert when contacted on Wednesday, October 16.

As for the news that Benjamin's hopes for the Banten cagub, Andra Soni circulated when he attended a consolidation event with Retired Indonesian Fighters (PPIR) and Gerindra in Serang, last Thursday, October.

Robert did not deny that Benjamin is currently also a Gerindra Party cadre in the midst of the 2024 simultaneous Regional Head Election (Pilkada).

However, it is inseparable from the new political civilization, where the 2024 simultaneous regional elections spur all parties and candidates to communicate to political support.

Meanwhile, Benjamin's transfer to the Gerindra Party in the 2024 Pilkada also has the knowledge of the leadership of the Golkar Party, especially in South Tangerang.

"With Pak Ben's statement which is becoming a scene at this time, we need to separate Mr. Ben as mayor who has been known as a Golkar cadre and Mr. Ben who has now become a Gerindra cadre," said Robert.

Robert also asked the public not to be influenced by propaganda from the opposing parties who try to take advantage of this situation.

He emphasized that Benjamin's statement, which was considered to provide fresh air for the Banten cagub-cawagub pair, Andra Soni and Dimyati, was part of Gerindra's internal dynamics.

"He conveyed that in the internal Gerindra forum. Therefore, there is no other choice; to become a cadre or member of a party, what is needed is loyalty," said Robert.

Thus, Benjamin's statement that mentions Andra Soni's name does not mean that he supports Airin's rivals in the political contestation in Banten.

"Hope is different from support. People must carefully understand this situation," he said.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the South Tangerang Orchid Laskar, Wahyu Wibisana, emphasized that the organization he leads remains steadfast in supporting the Ben-Pilar pair as candidates for mayor and deputy mayor of South Tangerang, as well as the pair Airin Rachmi Diany with Ade Sumardi in the 2024 Banten Pilkada.

"We will not be influenced by issues that pit each other," said Wahyu.

Laskar Anggrek, which consists of 1,230 members of various communities, is committed to focusing on supporting the candidate pairs.

Despite various responses, Wahyu emphasized, Laskar Anggrek will continue to stick to this commitment of support.

"As a big family of Laskar Anggrek, we are non-party and remain in our principle. For South Tangerang, our support for Benjamin-Pilar, and for Banten, we support Mrs. Airin," said Wahyu.