Golkar Leader Airlangga Hartarto Says Communication with Ganjar 'Is Good', But Cozies Up with Anies

JAKARTADAILY.ID – It did not take long for Golkar party's Chairman Airlangga Hartarto to follow up a letter signed by Akbar Tanjung, the Chairman of the Advisory Board of Golkar Party, as he led a consolidation meeting for the party's Regional Leadership Councils (DPDs) in Semarang, Central Java on Sunday.

Speaking at the meeting, Airlangga said the consolidation is necessary as the Government, the Election Commission (KPU), and the House of Representatives (DPR) have approved the schedule for the 2024 elections.

According to a hearing at the House of Representatives on Monday (January 24, 2022), the simultaneous election for the president/vice president, legislators, regional legislators at province and districts as well as the Regional Representative Council (DPD), will be held at February 14, 2024. 

Golkar's chairman said a consolidation for all the branches of the party is necessary to win Golkar, a long-living political vehicle that once ruled Indonesia under its second president Soeharto.

"Today I have gathered all DPD chairpersons. The Elections are to come in less than three years. All of Golkar's instruments must be ready to win the 2024 elections," Airlangga said in a statement.

Golkar's top leader, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economic Affairs also said the consolidation is meant to streamline all the party's elements to forge its presence in the grassroots, up to the ballot votes.

"We will guard the 2024 elections to the ballot votes (TPS). The grassroots networks are key to win Golkar and its presidential candidate," he said.

Airlangga is Golkar's sole presidential candidate, which was approved in a national meeting (Munas) held in 2020.

Prior to the consolidation meeting, his party's top supporter made a few maneuvers, including approaching one of the top loyalists of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

On the same day, on Sunday, Firman Mulyadi, the Coordinator for Airlangga's Young Volunteer, met one of Anies' top loyalists to discuss the chance to make a coalition in the 2024 presidential election.

"Golkar will open the chance to make coalitions with one of the most prominent figures that the nation has, one of which is Anies Baswedan. We want Airlangga Hartarto to become the President in 2024-2029," said Firman in a statement on Sunday.

Previously, Firman claimed that Ganjar Pranowo, the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP)'s most popular presidential candidate and current Central Java governor, contacted Airlangga. 

However, it was a scheduled working meeting that was claimed by Firman as 'communication,' as Ganjar came to Jakarta in his capacity as the Central Java governor to meet the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.

Airlangga: 'Communication is good' with Ganjar