REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- National Awakening Party (PKB) does not mind if Democratic Party wanted to join government coalition with Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and hoped Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) will be paired with the incumbent in 2019 General Election. However, PKB believed Jokowi would perfer to consider another candidate to be his running mate, which is PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin).
PKB secretary general, Abdul Kadir Karding said Cak Imin's advantages far exceed AHY's. As a santri (student of Islamic boarding school), Cak Imin could represent moderate Islam. In addition, he also consider to represent the majority of Nahdliyin Islam in Indonesia.
Democratic party politician Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY)
"Cak Imin has a lot of things that can fill and complete Mr. Jokowi, said Abdul on Tuesday (March 13).
According to Karding, despite of young, Cak Imin has many experiences in politics. He said, Cak Imin would be certainly far superior and more potential to be selected by Jokowi than AHY.
"Cak Imin representation of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). In the middle rumour and issues, related to religion and communist that attacked Mr. Jokowi, PKB and NU is the solution," Abdul explained.
Chairman of PKB Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin)
PKB has not officially declared their support to Jokowi in 2019 General Election. However, Karding said PKB still feel comfortable with the coalition.
"Right now, we are trying to pump Cak Imin's chance to be elected as vice president candidate," he said.