REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA --  As a longtime friend, Sandiaga Uno expresses his concern over the rumor about determination of Indonesian Sports Committee (KOI) Erick Thohir as head of national campaign team for incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) - KH Ma’ruf Amin. Sandiaga said as he did, Erick also built career from scratch.

Sandiaga and Erick have created many partnerships in several companies. He has maintained a good relationship with Republika owner since they were kids. They played basketball and exercised school assignments together.

Sandiaga claimed he knew how Erick would feel about the rumor. He believed Erick as an entrepreneur did not want to take the offer and preferred to continue to run his business.

Sandiaga Uno (left) and Erick Thohir lead a meeting at Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) office, Jakarta, Sunday (December 11, 2017).

"If Erick may choose, he will choose not to be head of Jokowi - Ma’ruf winning team," the former Jakarta deputy governor said.

According to Sandiaga, being a chairman of national campaign team would make Erick a political expose person (PEP). It would be a burden for Erick as a businessman.

"I really understand his position. It will be hard for him as a businessman with thousands of employees," Sandiaga who is also vice presidential candidate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto explained.

Sandiaga also expressed concern over his friendship with Erick. Moreover, their families are also good friends.

“My wife and Erick’s wife are friends, also our children, I have good relationship also with his brother and parents,” said Sandiaga on Thursday (Sept 6).

However, Sandiaga said that it was not about him and Erick personally. He stressed it is about Indonesia and the people's aspirations.

Furthermore, Sandiaga said Indonesian people want progress in economy, more jobs opportunities, and affordable living costs. Therefore, he wanted to focus on the struggle to ensure that the Indonesian economy would be better in the future.

Sandiaga hoped the best for his best friend, Erick. He would congratulate him when the rumor confirmed. He believed his relationship with Erick will stay the same.

Erick became the strongest candidate as head of success team of Jokowi-Kiai Ma'ruf. His name has been cited by some politicians and vice presidential candidate of the government camp.

"Yes, Erick Thohir," secretary general of United Development Party (PPP) Arsul Sani when being confirmed about the strongest candidate to lead the national campaign team (TKN) of Jokowi-Ma'ruf.

Although Erick's name was widely cited, the government coalition has not announced it. "It will be officially determined and declared tomorrow afternoon," Arsul said in Jakarta, on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Kiai Ma'ruf hinted that Jokowi picked Erick as chairman of TKN. "Yes, I think Erick Thohir is...if I'm not mistaken, he has been determined. It will be announced later," he said after a meeting with Muhammadiyah officials in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (Sept 5) night.

Earlier, secretary general of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto explained the announcement of head of winning team will not be later than September 7 since Indonesian Working Coalition (KIK) has to form campaign team in provinces. So far, Erick and Najwa Shihab were among top list.

According to Hasto, Erick was nominated because of his success in leading Asian Games 2018. Other than Erick and Najwa, CT Corp founder Chairul Tanjung and Go-Jek founder Nadiem Makarim also rumored to have the chance to lead the TKN.

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