Golkar Withdraws Support for Ridwan Kamil in W. Java Election
Jakarta. Indonesia's second largest political party, Golkar, has withdrawn its support for Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil in next year's West Java gubernatorial election, a top official said on Monday (18/12), on the sidelines of the party's national leaders meeting.
Golkar acting chairman Nurdin Halid said the decision was due to the uncertainty of Ridwan's promise to have Golkar member Daniel Muttaqien as his running mate.
"A report from our [West Java] branch said that Mr. Ridwan Kamil wants to choose his running mate through a convention, which is not in line with our previous agreement," Nurdin said, as quoted by BeritaSatu Tv.
He said Ridwan himself proposed to run with Daniel as deputy governor candidate. Therefore, in accordance with the party mechanism, Golkar on Oct. 24 announced its support for them running together in the 2018 West Java gubernatorial election.
"Mr. Ridwan Kamil does not keep the agreement with the Golkar Party," Nurdin said.
Beside Golkar, Ridwan has already received endorsement from the National Democratic Party (NasDem), the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB).
The mayor did not comment on the issue with Golkar.
Party's National Meetings
After Monday's national leaders meeting, Golkar will hold an extraordinary national meeting for Airlangga Hartarto to deliver an acceptance speech after his appointment as the new chairman, and updates on other issues recently decided by the leaders.
During this three-day string of meetings, the party again expressed its allegiance to the government under the leadership of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, and reiterated support for Jokowi in the 2019 presidential election.
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