PDIP admits Jokowi’s popularity boosts its chances

JAKARTA. Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Charles Honoris has acknowledged that the popularity of Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has increased that of the party, which is led by Megawati Soekarnoputri.

“We are grateful that we have a figure like Jokowi,” he said in a discussion in Jakarta on Sunday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Charles said Jokowi’s popularity had spread to the most remote parts of the country and meant that PDI-P would not have to spend big money to campaign.

On whether PDI-P would nominate Jokowi as its presidential candidate, Charles said it would depend on Megawati as a state leader who knew very well people’s desire to have the right presidential candidate.

Charles, who is a legislative candidate for DKI Jakarta in April's general election, further said that in proper time, Megawati would choose a presidential nominee who matched the aspirations of the people.

A Pol-Tracking Institute survey found that Jokowi ranked first among potential presidential candidates with 37 percent of respondents saying they would vote for him, followed by Prabowo Subianto (10.3 percent), Aburizal Bakrie (5.9 percent) and Wiranto (5.42 percent).

“If Jokowi does not run for the presidency, then Prabowo will be in the top position, followed by Megawati, Aburizal and Wiranto,” said Pol-Tracking Institute executive director Hanta Yuda, on Sunday. (ebf)