Jokowi appoints PKB's Khofifah as spokesperson

JAKARTA. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) presidential hopeful, and Jakarta governor, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, has appointed former minister, and chairwoman of  Indonesia's largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)’s women organization, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, as a spokesperson.

Jokowi revealed that he had formally requested Khofifah to assist him in the upcoming presidential election during a visit to the latter's residence in Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday.

"I met her [Khofifah] last week to help me as an old friend. She agreed to do it. So now she is a spokesperson for Jokowi," Jokowi told members of the NU's women's branch in Surabaya who gathered at Khofifah's house to welcome Jokowi.

Jokowi later listened to insights from locals regarding several issues such as education.

When asked details about her job as spokesperson, Khofifah said that she would help disseminate information about Jokowi as well as his programs to local voters.

"Many people might not have the chance to directly meet him and thus he needs a spokesperson to help respond to such people. God willing I am ready to do it," Khofifah said.

Khofifah added that Jokowi might have other spokespeople with different forms of expertise, ranging from the economy to education.(dic)