INDONESIA – The electability of Erick Thohir, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), continues to strengthen in the race for the vice-presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.
This was revealed in the latest survey results from July 1 to 8, 2023, released by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) led by Djayadi Hanan on Tuesday (11 Jul).
In various simulation scenarios featuring 24, 12, and 7 potential vice-presidential candidates, Erick Thohir consistently remains the top choice of the Indonesian people.
In the simulation involving 24 candidates, Erick Thohir holds the first position with a vice presidential electability rate of 14.3 percent.
Following him closely are Ridwan Kamil, the Governor of West Java (Jabar), with an electability rate of 13.5 percent, and Mahfud MD, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, with an electability rate of 9.9 percent.
In the simulation with 12 candidates, Erick Thohir’s position remains unchanged with an electability rate of 18.5 percent.
Trailing behind him are Ridwan Kamil with an electability rate of 16.6 percent, and Sandiaga Uno, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, with an electability rate of 11.0 percent.
Similarly, in the simulation involving 7 candidates, Erick Thohir maintains his lead with an electability rate of 21.2 percent. Ridwan Kamil follows with an electability rate of 19.6 percent, and Sandiaga Uno at 17.5 percent.
A previous survey conducted by the Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO) during the period of 5 to 13 June, also placed Erick Thohir in the first position among potential vice-presidential candidates in a semi-open simulation with 20 names.
He garnered an electability rate of 15.5 per cent. Mahfud MD, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), the Chairman of the Democratic Party, followed closely behind with electability rates of 11.1 percent and 10.9 percent, respectively.
Another survey conducted by Indikator Politik (Political Indicator) Indonesia from May 26 to 30, 2023, ranked Erick Thohir in the first position with an electability rate of 15.5 percent in an 18-candidate vice presidential simulation. Ridwan Kamil and Mahfud MD tied for second place with an electability rate of 15.4 percent.
Regarding the potential vice-presidential candidates, Prabowo Subianto, the Presidential Candidate of the Republic of Indonesia, has ensured that the selected candidate must share the same goals and aspirations as the Gerindra Party.
“As for the question of who the vice-presidential candidate will be, it will be announced at the appropriate time. What is certain is that the person should have the same aspirations as Gerindra, which is to create a just and prosperous nation,” said Prabowo in Tangerang on Sunday (9 Jul).
He emphasized that apart from having shared aspirations with the Gerindra Party, the suitable candidate must also be dedicated to serving the Indonesian people.
Prabowo further stated that the surveys serve as supplementary parameters and not the primary basis for their campaign. “These surveys are only guides, assisting parameters, but they are not the sole basis,” he added.
Puan Maharani, the Chairwoman of the Election Winning Body (Bappilu) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), mentioned that the ideal vice-presidential candidate for Ganjar, the Governor of Central Java, is someone who shares the same ideologies.
“Everyone hopes that if they have a partner, their partnership will last. They should have the same vision and mission, with aligned thinking, and the compatibility should be long-lasting,” said Puan in the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, as quoted on Friday (14 Jul).
In the midst of discussions about potential vice-presidential candidates, Yenny Wahid, the fourth daughter of the fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, emerged as a candidate.
However, Anies Baswedan, the former Governor of Jakarta, responded by saying, “The announcement will be made at the appropriate time. That’s it,” he told reporters on Jalan Senopati, South Jakarta, on Friday (14 Jul).
When asked about the characteristics of his preferred vice-presidential candidate, Anies mentioned that the person should have youthful enthusiasm. “What is the age limit for a vice presidential candidate? Well, the important thing is that they have a youthful spirit,” Anies explained.
The Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the National Democrat Party (NasDem), Effendy Choirie or Gus Choi, previously mentioned that Yenny Wahid’s name was proposed by the Democratic Party. Gus Choi stated that the proposal was directly conveyed by the Chairman of the Democratic Party’s Election Control Body, Andi Arief.
Regarding these discussions, Yenny Wahid declined to comment extensively. “Please ask the party that proposed my name,” Yenny said when met at Fisipol UGM, as reported by detikJateng on Friday (7 Jul).
Yenny also confirmed that she has not yet made a decision on supporting any specific candidate. “And we have not decided whom to support,” she concluded.
The upcoming 2024 Presidential Election continues to attract attention as potential candidates and their electability are closely monitored.
As the election draws nearer, the political landscape is expected to evolve further, potentially impacting the choices made by political parties and the Indonesian people.
