PKS Still Hopes Democrats Don't Leave The Coalition For Change

PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu (left two) when delivering a statement at a press conference at the PKS DPP Office, Jakarta, Saturday (2/9/2023). (ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi)

JAKARTA - President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Ahmad Syaikhu, said that his party still hopes that the Democrat Party will not leave the Change Coalition for Unity (KPP) which carries Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate (readpres) in 2024.

"Indeed, we still really hope that the Democratic Party can remain in the Coalition for Amendments to Unity and carry Anies Rasyid Baswedan as reading the president of the Republic of Indonesia," said Syaikhu at the PKS DPP Office, Saturday, September 2.

It is known that the Democratic Party has revoked support for Anies Baswedan's candidacy as a 2024 presidential candidate after the election of PKB General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin as vice presidential candidate.

The Democrats considered that Anies had committed treason because previously there had been a written request for the General Chair, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) to be his partner in the upcoming presidential election.

Nevertheless, Syaikhu said, PKS respects the decision of the NasDem Party and PKB which have declared the Anies-Cak Imin pair as presidential and vice presidential candidates who will run in the 2024 presidential election.

However, said Syaikhu, PKS will still bring the name of PKB General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin to be discussed and determined as a vice presidential candidate (cawapres) whose party is promoted to the Shura Council.

Referring to the PKS Articles of Association, Syaikhu emphasized that the authority to determine presidential and vice-presidential candidates lies with the Syuro Council as the party's highest deliberation panel consisting of representatives of PKS members from all over Indonesia.

Where, in the results of the 8th Shura Council deliberation, PKS has appointed Anies Rasyid Baswedan as a candidate for presidential candidate promoted by PKS.

"As for the recommendation of the name Mr. Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar as a candidate for vice president, God willing, it will be proposed to discuss it at the deliberation of the Prosperous Justice Party Syuro Council," said Syaikhu.

The same thing was also revealed by PKS Secretary General Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi. Aboe emphasized that PKS remains committed to being in the Change Coalition for Unity, which is currently receiving additional members, namely PKB.

"Alhamdulillah, God willing, we are still Istiqomah. We are with NasDem and now there is one (PKB)," said Anies.

"I hope that one (Democrat) does not come out, hopefully it will still survive together," he added.

Even so, the Chairman of the MKD of the DPR RI was reluctant to comment on the political stance of the Democratic Party who chose to leave as announced by the High Council of the Democratic Party last night. "Never mind, I don't have to talk much, that's the business of each party," said Aboe.