JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Amidst the further explosion of approval rating of popular Jakarta Governor Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo as the most potential president candidate for 2014, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), as scheduled, will hold its national meeting early next month.
People are waiting to what PDI-P patron leader Megawati Soekarnoputri would say, especially about Jokowi and next year’s presidential election.
The PDI-P’s national meeting reportedly will take place in a hotel in Ancol, North Jakarta at 5-7 September 2013. The Mercure Ancol could be the place of the meeting as the party had held its latest national meeting there on February 2013.
Tjahjo Kumolo, Secretary General of PDI-P, had earlier confirmed that Megawati will give a political speech to around 1,800 PDI-P cadres, including its lawmakers and regional leaders.
However, Tjahjo stated that the meeting will not specifically discuss about president candidate from the party. But Tjahjo admitted that PDI-P cadres attending the meeting could voice their aspirations, including voice of supporting Jokowi to enter the presidential race.
“Peope are free to talk, right. All (aspirations) will be stored.. And for now, it’s still a mystery. All names (of president candidates) will be delivered to Ibu Mega. There are supports for Bu Mega, Jokowi and Puan. But the decision is in Bu Mega’s hands,” said Tjahjo.
“Of course Bu Mega observing all of the current dynamics. About who will be endorsed (as president candidate), from what we know, she might firstly see how many votes PDI-P can shore up in the next year’s legislative election. Let’s waiting,” Tjahjo added.
This morning, the research center of Kompas newspaper, the largest newspaper in the country, pointed to further explosion of Jokowi’s electability. According to Kompas, Jokowi’s electability has soared to 32.5%, almost doubled from 17.7% in its previous survey in December 2012.
Trailing behind are Gerindra patron leader Prabowo Subianto with 15.1%, Golkar Party Chairman Aburizal Bakrie (8.8%), Megawati (8%), and former Vice President Jusuf Kalla (4.5%). (haryantos@yosefardi.biz).