Mahfud MD Refuses To Be Anies' Vice Presidential Candidate When Offered PKS, Worried That The Coalition For Change Will Even Break

Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs Mahfud MD/DOK Instagram @mohmahfudmd

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD asked Denny Indrayana to keep Anies Baswedan running in the 2024 presidential election, so that the government is not always accused of tackling the efforts of the former governor of DKI Jakarta to run for the presidential election.

"Please, Anies is guarded so that he can still get a ticket (Pilpres 2024). Later on, the accused will get a ticket. Because of the accusation, the government continues to block Anies. I ordered Denny, please keep it," Mahfud said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 5.

Mahfud emphasized that the government will not interfere in the nomination of Anies Baswedan from the Change Coalition for Unity (KPP).

"I ordered Denny, please protect it. Don't let the internals fail. If the government doesn't participate," he added.

Apart from Denny Indrayana, Mahfud also asked the President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Ahmad Syaikhu to do the same.

"It's not only Denny that I ask for, I also ask for the general chairman of PKS," he added.

Mahfud said he had conveyed this to Ahmad Syaikhu directly during the meeting at his residence. During the meeting, Mahfud said Syaikhu asked him to accompany Anies as a candidate for vice president (cawapres) in the 2024 presidential election.

"I also conveyed that to the General Chairperson of PKS, Pak Syaikhu, when he came to my house; (he) explored, 'what if you become Anies' vice presidential candidate'," he said.

However, Mahfudenggan ran as Anies vice presidential candidate so that there would not be a KPP split that could potentially thwart it from contesting the 2024 presidential election.

"I said, not me, later it will break. Anies, if later the coalition does not agree, the Anies will not get a ticket if one party leaves. Same, my message to Denny," he said.

Mahfud pun menegaskan dirinya siap mengawal Pemilu 2024 tetap terelenggar sesuai jadwal.

"Well, I will guard the election. I said that the election should be held. That's all," he said.