JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The National Awakening Party (PKB), a Muslim-based party affiliated to the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organization in the country, is reportedly getting closer to join a coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for endorsing the nomination of Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in July’s presidential election.
Talking to the press on Wednesday (April 30), Mahfud MD, former PKB Chairman and now one among its four vice presidential nominees, shared his belief about the coalition with PDI-P.
Mahfud said the annoucement about the coalition is just a matter of time. The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, however, noted that the time for announcing the coalition is the authority of PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar.
In a different location, Jokowi himself also shared similar statement with Mahfud. Jokowi said he needs to meet, as a final meeting, with Muhaimin to make a deal for the coalition.
As reported earlier, Jokowi has secured supports from PDI-P and Nasdem Party to endorse his presidential bid. Jokowi previously said he wants to stick with a slim coalition.
PKB, meanwhile, had earlier also been in talks with Gerindra and Golkar Parties.(haryantos@yosefardi.biz)