Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) are getting solid towards the upcoming West Java 2018 Election. After signaling a coalition in the election, both parties have also planned another alliance for simultaneous regional election in West Java.
Two regional leaders of each party, Golkar Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Chairman, Dedi Mulyadi and PDI-P DPD Chairman TB Hasanudin held a meeting on Wednesday, for discussing the coalition.
"We got a solution, including for working in the election later. We'll collaborate probably in the whole context of the election in entire areas," said TB Hasanudin in a press conference at the party's secretariat office, Bandung, on Wednesday.
The 16 districts and cities to participate in 2018 simultaneous election are Sumedang Regency, Bogor Regency, Purwakarta, Subang, Kuningan, Majalengka, Cirebon regency, Garut, Ciamis and West Bandung Regency, Bandung City, Banjar, Bekasi, Cirebon and Sukabumi.
Hasanudin admitted that both parties also agreed to form a team consisting of Golkar and PDIP cadres, who will be tasked to map the political constellation in the forthcoming election.
"About the [elections] for regents, we'll share it [the quota]. For the gubernatorial post we've got referral from the center that we're ready to form a coalition with anyone, and we're fully open for Golkar," he said.
Dead end for Ridwan Kamil?
On the other side, the coalition also ruled out the possibility for both parties to endorse the current Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil to run for West Java Governor next year.
Ridwan who is actually still on the top among other candidates based on a number of surveys, has officially accepted the endorsement of the National Democratic Party (NasDem) last March.
Nasdem which only has five chairs in the West Java parliament, has to form a coalition in order to get another 15 chairs of legislative chairs needed if Nasdem wants to be in a strong position to support a governor and deputy governor both as candidates and as definitive leaders later.
Else, he can still run for the province's number one independently since such threshold does not apply to any independent candidates. He himself on last July, had stated to the public that he is still open to the option.
(I have to decide, because) if I really run as an independent, I have to start counting and collecting ID cards by the end of this month. I only have until November (to collect the ID cards)," he said on Sunday. "Running as an independent is still an option. But doing so would also require having a running mate, and that's another consideration to take. But, we're thinking about it now."
He also admitted having had a dialogue with Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), United Development Party (PPP).
Ridwan Kamil is on his way to compete in 2018 West Java Governor Election alongside current West Java Deputy Governor Deddy Mizwar, Purwakarta Regent Dedi Mulyadi, former West Java Deputy Governor and current member of the House of Representatives Dede Yusuf, and cleric Abdulla Gymnastiar who are also trying to get the sufficient number of local legislative support.
Recent survey from Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) shows Ridwan Kamil is leading with 31.4 percent, followed by Dedi Mizwar with 13 percent, Dedi Mulyadi with 12.3 percent, Dede Yusuf with 8.3 percent, and Aa Gym with 7.5 percent.
(brl/red)
