Bima Arya Calls PAN Turning From Vice President Erick Thohir To Gibran

Bogor Mayor Bima Arya (Photo: Antara)

Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya as Chairman of the PAN DPP stated that his party may turn away from nominating Vice President Erick Thohir to Gibran Rakabuming Raka to accompany Presidential Candidate Prabowo Subianto in the Advanced Indonesia Coalition for the 2024 General Election by looking at the latest developments.

"The name of the vice presidential candidate is already in Pak Prabowo's pocket. Just wait for him to officially announce it," said Bima Arya in Bogor City, Saturday, answering reporters whether PAN turned away from Erick Thohir, following the Golkar Party's decision to carry Gibran as Prabowo's companion.

Bima Arya on the sidelines of the Urang Minang Baralek Gadang Bajamba event at Bogor City Hall, said PAN had not yet held an internal party meeting.

According to Bima, Erick Thohir, who carried PAN for the vice presidential candidate, was hampered because not all political parties in the Advanced Indonesia Coalition supported him.

"In the party, there are other than electability and acceptability. Even though the electability is high, if it is not accepted consensus by party leaders, it will be useless. That's the reality like that. Not all party leaders like Mr. ET. The reality is like that," he said.

Bima also responded to the return of Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan who is also the General Chair of PAN from overseas visits accompanying President Joko Widodoe to China and Saudi Arabia on Friday (20/10) night there was indeed a discussion that narrowed the name of the vice president to accompany Prabowo Subianto.

"Wait for everything related to the nation's future, it should be discussed internally, so that the options are clear," said Bima.

Bima said that even if there was a change in the name of the vice presidential candidate carried by PAN from the results of the meeting of the general chairman Zulhas with President Joko Widodo as well as communication and meetings with Gibran at Zulhas' residence on Saturday (21/10) morning, it could also be communicated with PAN cadres.

"Even if there is a change in the name of the vice presidential candidate, we hope that the changes will also be conveyed to internal cadres so that cadres can understand too," he said.

Bima does not yet know when the internal PAN meeting will be regarding the cawapres' decision, because Zulkifli Hasan communicated with the leaders of other coalition parties.

"I don't know yet, I'm still waiting. Yes, because what I know is that the General Chair is still communicating with the leaders of the coalition parties," he said.

The Forward Indonesia Coalition consists of 12 political parties, four parliamentary political parties namely the Gerindra Party, the Golkar Party, PAN, the Democratic Party, four non-parlementary parties namely the United Nations, PSI, Garuda Party, the Indonesian Gelora Party, one local party namely the Aceh Party and three non-participants of the 2024 General Election, namely the Berkarya Party, PRIMA, PPB to carry Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as a presidential candidate in the 2024 Indonesian Presidential Election.