JOKOWI DECIDES TO PAIR WITH NU SUPREME LEADER MA'RUF AMIN AND PRABOWO PICKS SANDI AS RUNNING MATE

JAKARTA -- Incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has officially declared himself as presidential candidaton Thursday afternoon. He also has decided to pair with NU supreme leader (Rais Aam) KH Ma'ruf Amin in 2019 presidential election.

Jokowi explained he is seeking a second term in the 2019 presidential election after paying attention to advises from ulemas, leaders of political parties, volunteer, and the people. "By saying, Bismillah (In the name of Allah), I decide to run in the election as presidential candidate," he said at Plataran Menteng restaurant, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (Aug 9).

Jokowi said he decided to appoint Kiai Ma'ruf who is also the chairman of Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) after hearing advises from all elements of the society. He explained that his supporting parties have agreed to carry Kiai Ma'ruf as Jokowi's running mate.

According to Jokowi, he chose Kiai Ma'ruf to complete each other. He assessed Kiai Ma'ruf with his track record was an ideal figure to be his running mate.

"He was once served as Regional House of Representative member, House of Representative member, Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) member, supreme leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, and chairman of MUI," Jokowi said during the declaration.

Jokowi said he will register to General Election Commission on Friday (Aug 10) at 09.00 am.

The Gerindra Party, PAN and PKS decided to pair Gerindra leader Prabowo Subianto and Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno without the support of the Democratic Party.

“This is not an easy process. This process is tiring. I have tried to build a big coalition,” Prabowo told reporters at his residence in South Jakarta 11:30 p.m.  

“Sandiaga is the best choice there is. He has made a sacrifice. He is willing to resign from his position as deputy governor so that he can serve the nation and the state.”

Prabowo practically ignored the reccommendation made by the anti-Ahok Islamist groups that he picked celebrity preacher Abdul Somad as his running mate.

As of 10:30 p.m., the Democratic Party said it still rejected Sandiaga’s candidacy. The party is left with the option of joining either the Prabowo or Jokowi camp. The Election Law bans political parties from sitting out the presidential election.