July 25, 2023
JAKARTA – Senior politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Puan Maharani, who is also the daughter of the party’s chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, said currently there were five potential candidates who could run alongside the party’s presidential pick Ganjar Pranowo.
Speaking at a National Mandate Party (PKB) event in Surakarta, Central Java, on Sunday, she said one of the top-five candidates was the Muslim-based party chairman Muhaimin Iskandar.
“We have narrowed down the choice to five and it includes Cak Imin,” Puan was quoted by Antara, referring to Muhaimin’s popular moniker.
Puan, who is also the speaker of the House of Representatives, revealed that the other four candidates were Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Andika Perkasa and Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono.
When asked about a potential pairing between Ganjar and himself, Muhaimin who spoke to reporters alongside Puan, claimed that he maintained a close relationship with the Central Java governor.
“Not only close, but we stick together,” Muhaimin said.
The PDI-P has endorsed Ganjar as its candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
Ganjar, governor of one of the most populous provinces, is up against former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, in what is expected to be a hotly contested race.