Wijayanti Putri, Solo – Vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka has spoken out regarding speculation that he will become the next Chairman of the Golkar Party. He firmly asserted that there are many more deserving figures than himself.

"Nah, no way. Let the more experienced seniors handle it," he told reporters at the Solo City Hall on Wednesday.

The eldest son of President Joko "Jokowi" admitted to being unaware of the process for selecting the Golkar Party Chairman. Even if he were appointed, Gibran believes there are still many seniors in the party who are qualified to hold the position currently held by Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto.

"Let the seniors or experienced individuals take charge. Even if the direction of the Golkar Party is currently focusing on recruiting young people, my answer remains the same," he emphasized.

Gibran, a former politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), dismissed rumors of officially joining Golkar and becoming a member. The Mayor of Solo stressed that he has not considered joining any party at this time.

"No (not a Golkar member), it's strange how the news is circulating now. I don't know about (party joining) issues. There are no plans to join any party. Still focused on the work in Solo City," he stated.

Gibran also clarified that no party has approached him to join as a member, including his younger brother Kaesang Pangarep, currently serving as the Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).

"There haven't been any discussions in that direction. That's Kaesang's party; there haven't been any discussions in that direction (joining PSI)," he concluded.

As previously reported, Indo Barometer's Executive Director M. Qodari believes Gibran is suitable to become the Chairman of the Golkar Party. One reason, according to him, is that Gibran will soon hold a strategic position as the second-in-command in Indonesia when officially inaugurated as vice president in October 2024.

The second reason, Qodari said, is that the Golkar Party must focus on the younger generation since the majority of voters come from the youth demographic. Gibran is only 36-years-old.

Earlier, Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto also suggested the possibility of President Jokowi becoming a member of the party, emphasizing the strong connection between Jokowi and Golkar in the 2024 Presidential Election.

"Jokowi and the Golkar Party have indeed held meetings, and we have been working together," Airlangga said in response to reporters' inquiries about Jokowi's potential move to Golkar.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/gibran-dismisses-golkar-party-leadership-speculation