Democrats Open Opportunities To Accept PKB's Invitation To Form A Coalition For Presidential Candidate Cak Imin, But...

Muhaimin Iskandar/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Democratic Party has responded to an invitation from the National Awakening Party (PKB) to form a new coalition for the 2024 presidential election. Deputy for Bappilu DPP of the Democratic Party Kamhar Lakumani said he was ready to form a coalition with the party chaired by Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin. However, said Kamhar, the Democrats will be realistic and rational in establishing coalition relations. His party will not force themselves so that General Chair Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) is promoted as a presidential candidate.

"We will be rational and realistic," Kamhar told reporters, Friday, May 27.

Likewise, nominating Cak Imin as a presidential candidate, according to Kamhar, the Democrats will definitely count carefully. Because he said, the coalition would want victory as the goal. "The desired coalition is built on understanding and of course the prospect of victory," Kamhar said. "This must be calculated carefully and thoroughly, because what we want is not only to qualify as a ticket," he continued.

Kamhar emphasized that in exploring a Democratic coalition, he must first ensure that the presidential and vice presidential nomination threshold of 20 percent is met.

"Only then agreed on the candidate pair," he said.

However, Kamhar said, Democrats are still trying to build political communication with other parties. Although the priority at this time is to prepare the party's political machine to be successful in the 2024 General Election.

"Now regarding the 2024 presidential election, the political attitude of the Democratic Party will only condense at the end of 2022 or early 2023," said Kamhar. "It is very possible (form a new Coalition, ed) because PKB is the middle party. It means that there are other middle parties, for example NasDem, that agree to go, so," said Jazilul at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 25. Apart from NasDem, PKB also opens the possibility for a coalition with the Democratic Party. Provided that PKB leads the coalition axis with General Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin as presidential candidates. "Or also say the Democrats, so PKB wants to lead that axis," said Jazilul. According to him, Cak Imin's electoral position is at the top of the presidential candidate exchange at the party chairman level. So that PKB is confident to become the leader of the coalition axis in the 2024 presidential election.

"If the PKB has a clear presidential candidate, there is already Mr. Muhaimin, so you don't have to worry about measuring it from there. For example, Democrats, Mas AHY and Mr. Muhaimin, or vice versa," explained Jazilul.