What Are The Opportunities For The Prabowo-Mahfud MD Duet In The 2024 Presidential Election?

Prabowo Subianto-Mahfud MD (Between)

YOGYAKARTA The opportunity for the Prabowo-Mahfud MD duet in the 2024 presidential election surfaced after the two figures met on the third day of Eid, or Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Prabowo Subianto, who currently serves as Minister of Defense, visited the residence of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD in Kuningan area, South Jakarta.

"I went to the Coordinating Minister, my superiors. He was willing to accept me. He just returned from East Java, he immediately accepted me," said Prabowo.

Prabowo also invited Mahfud MD to visit his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java. While smiling warmly, he said he wanted Mahfud to fill the tausiah in Hambalang.

"I ask him (Mahfud MD) to tell you later in Hambalang," he said.

Meanwhile, Mahfud MD mentioned his meeting with Prabowo in the context of Eid al-Fitr gathering.

"So it was only Eid al-Fitr, thank you all here, I think what was this," said Mahfud.

Mahfud also stated that he would visit Prabowo's residence in Hambalang, although he did not know the exact time.

"I'll go to Hambalang too. Later when it's loose (to Hambalang). This is still the atmosphere of Eid," said Mahfud.

So, what are the opportunities for the Prabowo-Mahfud MD duet in the 2023 General Election?

Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy and Strategic Affairs (Indostrategic) Ahmad Khoirul Umam expressed his opinion on the discourse of the Prabowo-Mahfud duet.

He considered that Prabowo's desire to target Mahfud MD as a vice presidential candidate could be a common ground for a number of identities, including his experience in three government dimensions.

"In addition to being experienced in the executive, legislature, and judiciary, Mahfud is also a representative of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cultural group which is expected to strengthen Prabowo's electability in East Java," said Umam, quoted from Kompas, Thursday, April 27, 2023.

However, there are a number of things that need to be resolved if Prabowo duets with Mahfud MD in the presidential election.

First, there must be a party that is ready to become a guarrantor (guarantor) for Mahfud for his position as vice presidential candidate. This is because Mahfud MD does not have a political party.

In addition, a number of general chairmen of Prabowo's supporting parties are also trying to ensure that the position of vice president is filled by their party officials.

Second, Prabowo must be able to convince party officials who reject Mahfud MD's candidacy as vice presidential candidate in the 2019 election, in order to accept his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.

Umam said Mahfud's firm stance on law enforcement policies and eradicating corruption at certain levels, was also considered to be in the comfort zone of political elites.

Third, Mahfud MD's bold attitude in legal issues called Umam can be a trigger that triggers political instability that disturbs the presidential candidate's comfort zone.

"The presidential candidate generally needs a vice presidential candidate that provides electoral incentives, but does not have adequate political power, so the presidential candidate does not feel threatened by the vice presidential maneuver," said Umam.

If Prabowo Subianto wants to run with Mahfud MD as a pair of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Umam thinks the three problems must be resolved first.

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