JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Golkar Party Chairman Aburizal “Ical” Bakrie admitted some figures, including Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, as tough contenders in the presidential race next year.
Ical, in his speech when opening the Golkar’s national leadership meeting Friday (Nov. 22), has mentioned seven names considered as tough contenders in next year’s presidential race.
They are Jokowi, Prabowo Subianto (Gerindra Party patron leader), Megawati Soekarnoputri (PDI-P patron leader), Wiranto (Hanura Party Chairman), Dahlan Iskan (State-Owned Enterprises Minister), Pramono Edhie Wibowo (Democratic Party politician), and Mahfud MD (former Constitutional Court Chief Justice).
While responding to harsh critics against his presidential nomination, Ical revealed he will not withdrow from the nomination.
As reported earlier, pressures within Golkar is growing against Ical’s presidential nomination. Latest, Suhardiman and Zainal Bintang, two Golkar senior politicians, suggested Ical to turn off his presidential bid. Suhardiman said it’s better for Ical to take respected role as a kingmaker and endorsing young figure such as Jokowi.
Today, Golkar holds its national leadership meeting (Rapimnas). The meeting will be held again Saturday (Nov. 23). (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)