INDONESIA — President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has assigned seven individuals to assist in Ganjar Pranowo’s presidential campaign in the 2024 election, according to Hasto Kristiyanto, the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
Hasto made this announcement just before the opening of a campaign strategist training event for Ganjar Pranowo at the I News Tower in Jakarta on Monday (July 17).
“There are seven individuals assigned by President Jokowi to achieve the goal of Ganjar Pranowo’s victory,” said Hasto. However, he did not disclose the identities of the members of the team.
PDIP, the United Development Party (PPP), the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura), and the United Indonesia Party (Perindo), as supporting parties of Ganjar Pranowo, have formed a communication team and campaign team called Tim 7 (Team 7).
While Hasto did not mention the members of Tim 7, he stated that they have already contacted the seven individuals. He further explained that Tim 7 was a follow-up to a meeting between himself and Jokowi before the climax celebration of Bulan Bung Karno 2023.
“On June 22, I did meet with President Jokowi. During the PDIP national meeting, we discussed several strategic aspects, and after consulting with him, he suggested how the grand communication strategy can be carried out effectively,” said Hasto.
“That’s why President Jokowi assigned certain individuals to assist Ganjar Pranowo, and we have contacted them,” Hasto added.
Hasto clarified that this team would serve as a liaison to ensure Ganjar’s victory. “We have been working with this communication team for one and a half months, and we have developed a comprehensive strategy for the success of Ganjar Pranowo,” he continued.
He also mentioned that the membership of the team might increase in the future.
Hasto stated that the formation of this team affirmed Jokowi’s support for Ganjar as the PDIP’s presidential candidate. He dismissed circulating opinions that Jokowi supported other potential candidates.
In line with Hasto’s statement, Achmad Baidowi is affectionately known as Awiek, the Chairman of the PPP Central Executive Board, believed that the formation of this team dispelled rumors about Jokowi supporting Prabowo Subianto’s candidacy.
“It dispels rumors that Jokowi leans towards Prabowo,” said Baidowi at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (18 Jul).
Awiek believed that President Jokowi remained loyal to the PDIP, which has supported Ganjar Pranowo’s candidacy. The guidance to form Team 7 is seen as a way for the President to provide tips for Ganjar’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.
“I believe that, especially since he gave tips on achieving victory, including suggesting the formation of Team 7, as revealed by Mr. Hasto,” he stated. “It shows that President Jokowi is aware of his position; he is still a PDIP cadre, and PDIP proposed Ganjar,” he concluded.
Hary Tanoesoedibjo (HT), the Chairman of the United Indonesia Party (Perindo), also viewed the formation of Team 7 by President Joko Widodo for Ganjar Pranowo’s victory in the 2024 presidential election as evidence of the President’s support for Ganjar.
“It is definitely a positive indication. Jokowi has deployed his team to provide guidance, and it shows that Jokowi supports Ganjar,” Hary said to reporters in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Hasto said that besides preparing the winning team, several supporting parties of Ganjar continue to make preparations for the 2024 presidential election.
One of them is by holding weekly consolidation meetings. Through these consolidation meetings, PDIP and its supporting parties will discuss in-depth the structure of Ganjar’s campaign team in the 2024 presidential election.
