Tuesday’s announcement that the ruling PDI-P party would be backing Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in his bid for reelection in 2017 changed the game, forcing rival political parties into a last minute scramble to find a worthy challenger. The so-called “Kinship Coalition” made up of the Democratic Party, Gerindra, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) were debating until late Thursday over which candidates they would back and we now have a clearer picture of who will be facing off in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial race.
Apparently the Kinship coalition could not decide on a single candidate, with Gerindra and PKS insisting on businessman Sandiaga Uno and the other four deciding to back a new political player, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the 38-year-old son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The coalition of the Democratic Party (of whom SBY is chairman), PPP, PKB and PAN, now being called the “Cikeas Coalition” (after the city in West Java where SBY resides) is planning to register Agus as their gubernatorial candidate today, along with their pick for vice governor, current Jakarta Deputy Governor for Tourism and Culture Sylviana Murni.
To enter the race, Agus is stepping down from his position as a major in the Indonesian Army where he serves as a commander in the Mechanised Infantry Battalion . He has never held a political office before.
Gerindra and PKS apparently did not agree to Agus due to his lack of experience but the Cikeas Coalition believe that the fresh-faced scion of SBY will provide a strong contrast to Ahok that will appeal to young voters. They have already denied accusations that Agus was chosen by SBY in order to create a political dynasty.
“They are an ideal combination, a military man who won top honors and was the best graduate in his class, combined with an experienced bureaucrat,” said PPP chairperson Romahurmuziy as quoted by Kompas.
The Cikeas Coalition plans to register Agus and Sylviana later today, before the deadline for registering candidates for the 2017 election closes in the evening.
