IO – West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil states that he is physically and emotionally ready to run in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Yet, he has not decided on the Party that will endorse him. He made the statement after attending an event in the Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali, Tuesday evening (1/18/2022).
Ridwan Kamil said he has been communicating with all political parties and will decide on the party of his choice at a later date. “What I appreciate is the parties that consistently fight for Pancasila (the Five Pillars). Not only in the Memorandum of Association/ Articles of Association (AD/ART). Every party will state it in their AD/ART (“…to fight for Pancasila…”), but the party’s track record will become the basis for my decision,” he said.
Ridwan Kamil believes many people have sent him their prayers and support to become a presidential candidate in 2024. “If it’s a sincere gesture, I will hope for it to manifest. A human being is expected to try and give his or her best efforts. Yet, fate is not in his control. So, the better the performance, the more likely a person will succeed. And naturally, people will show their appreciation in the form of prayers, songs and electoral support. So, I will focus on it,” he explained. When asked about a partner to run for the presidential election, Ridwan Kamil mentioned the issue of “forced marriage.” He said the names that came up as potential partners were often mentioned in survey institutions. “In practical politics, the political partner is never a personal choice. It all becomes a forced marriage. (Those who are suitable for presidential candidates) are the ones in the surveys,” he said.
Meanwhile, a political observer from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Adi Prayitno observed that Ridwan Kamil’s declaration that he is ready to run in the upcoming 2024 presidential election is on point. He believes Ridwan made that move to discover which political parties share the chemistry and are interested in nominating him for the 2024 election.
Adi added that Ridwan Kamil should be realistic. “If there is no party that wants to endorse him, he will withdraw or cancel his intention to run in the presidential election,” he said.
To mention Ridwan Kamil in the 2024 presidential election context has become inevitable, said Adi. Ridwan’s move, at least, is quite distinguishable from the names that often turn up in survey institutions. (des)