REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Golkar Party senior politician Jusuf Kalla (JK) said businessman Erick Thohir must learn a lot about Indonesian politics. Erick was appointed as chairman of national campaign team (TKN) for the incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) - KH Ma’ruf Amin should also master the map national politics.

“So, Erick must swerve a little from sports and media, to advance politics,” JK said on vice presidential office, on Monday (Sept 10).

JK would give advices to Erick regarding politics in the country. JK was appointed as chief of steering committee of Jokowi - Ma’ruf national campaign team.

However, he refused to reveal the advices that he would give to him. According to JK, it depended on the problem.

“It depends on the problem, how to integrate government programs with the ability of the candidate," JK added.

JK explained basically the campaign is the way to shape candidates to be better known, then liked and chosen by the people. Meanwhile, Erick's task as a Jokowi-Ma'ruf success team will be escorted by his team.

"That is the main principle of the campaign, Erick must learn a lot about politics as well as mapping, but he has a lot members on his team," said JK.

Incumbent President Joko Widodo (second right) hold hands with Vice Presidential Candidate KH Maruf Amin (right), Vice President Jusuf Kalla (second left) as chief of Steering Committe of National Campaign Team, and businessman Erick Thohir as chief of his National Campaign Team in Jakarta, Friday (Sept 7).

Jokowi officially declared Erick as TKN chairman on Friday (Sept 7). Earlier, Erick’s appointment has been cited by some politicians and vice presidential candidate of the government camp.

Jokowi said Erick as a leader has proved his ability. When he became Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) chairman, people both from homeland and abroad praised him on the success of the event.

“I think all of you know, he (Erick) is a successful businessman, he owns media company, football club, basketball, and everything that he leads, always get success,” Jokowi emphasized.

Jokowi revealed he chose a nonpolitician figure because he wanted a combination in his campaign team. He needed an expert in management to lead the campaign team.

“This is not a matter of politics. This is about how to manage this campaign. We already have many politicians in the team,” Jokowi explained.

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