TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Gerindra-PKB alliance hangs in balance

Yerica Lai (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Wed, November 30, 2022

Share This Article

Change Size

Gerindra-PKB alliance hangs in balance Members of Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) Muslim organization join a declaration event supporting Muhaimin Iskandar as vice president for the 2019 presidential election in Bahrul Hidayah Islamic boarding school in Banyuwangi, East Java on Feb. 17, 2018. (Antara/Budi Candra Setya)

T

he future of the Gerindra Party-led alliance, which plans to announce a ticket for the 2024 presidential election by January next year, is hanging in the balance after the National Awakening Party (PKB) floated the idea of leaving the alliance if its chairman is not named a candidate for vice president.

Since declaring in August their alliance, called the Great Indonesia Awakening Coalition (KIR), Gerindra and the PKB have been trying to find their middle ground over the 2024 ticket. But fresh rumors were later swirling that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had been pushing for Gerindra chair Prabowo Subianto to run with rising star Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo on his side. Ganjar is Jokowi's fellow member of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and whose popularity has outpaced PKB chair Muhaimin Iskandar.

Once an opposition leader and former Army general, Prabowo had made two unsuccessful bids for the country’s top job against Jokowi before he joined the government and became the defense minister, disappointing his conservative Muslim base.

Gerindra’s alliance with the PKB is likely intended to combine the former's nationalist supporters and the latter's Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) religious base, particularly after Prabowo suffered back-to-back defeats in East Java, a traditional NU stronghold.

In recent events, the President has dropped hints of his support for Prabowo and Ganjar, separately. Analysts have said this could indicate, among others, Jokowi’s endorsement for both politicians to run together in the upcoming presidential race.

Read also: Jokowi touts 'white-haired' sucsessor to secure legacy

Morning Brief

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Delivered straight to your inbox three times weekly, this curated briefing provides a concise overview of the day's most important issues, covering a wide range of topics from politics to culture and society.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

While such a scenario of pairing Prabowo with Ganjar remains speculation, Prabowo is likely to have his hands tied as his party had entered into a political pact with the PKB, which insists on nominating Muhaimin as a presidential candidate or at least as Prabowo's running mate.

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Gerindra-PKB alliance hangs in balance

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000
{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.