Yustinus Paat, Antara, Jakarta – Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Daily Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, confirmed that the Coalition for Advanced Indonesia (KIM) Plus will support Ahmad Luthfi and Kaesang Pangarep in the 2024 Central Java gubernatorial election.
"We will endorse Mr. Ahmad Luthfi and Mr. Kaesang," Dasco announced at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday evening.
Dasco explained that the National Democrat (Nasdem) Party has joined KIM Plus, and the coalition will work together to support Luthfi, the former Central Java Police Chief, and Kaesang, Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).
"Nasdem's actions have been coordinated with discussions between Nasdem Chairman Surya Paloh and Gerindra Chairman Prabowo Subianto. KIM Plus will adhere to this plan to support these candidates," he said.
KIM consists of Gerindra, Golkar, the Democrat Party, PAN, PBB, Gelora Party, Garuda Party, Prima, and PSI, while KIM Plus includes PKB, PKS, and Nasdem.
On August 19, 2024, Nasdem officially endorsed Ahmad Luthfi and Kaesang Pangarep, who is President Joko Widodo's son, by presenting the endorsement letter at Nasdem Tower in Jakarta. The letter was handed over by HM Prasetyo, Chairman of the Nasdem Central Java Advisory Board and former Attorney General, accompanied by other Nasdem officials.
"This collaboration among supporting parties aims to win the election and deliver significant benefits to the people of Central Java," Prasetyo said.
Previously, the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) had also issued a recommendation letter for Ahmad Luthfi on May 18.
Although Kaesang had initially stated that he would accompany his pregnant wife, Erina Gudono, to the US for her master's program at UPenn, he recently clarified his position on Aug. 15. "Who said I was out?" Kaesang responded when asked by reporters about his participation in the 2024 regional elections.