PDI-P Ready to Fight for Governor of North Sumatra to Fight Bobby, Jokowi's Son-in-law

PDI-P believes that the placement of the Acting Regent of Deli Serdang from Bobby's close circle is a step to gain votes in the North Sumatra gubernatorial election.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

The issue of air pollution is not new. The condition of a community threatened by air pollution has been going on for a long time. There is also no shortage of research evidence indicating the threats of the impacts of air pollution. However, in reality, this has not been able to push for significant efforts in controlling air pollution. Residents are increasingly suffering, living in the midst of air pollution. Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi (third from the right) discussed with Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Djarot Saiful Hidayat and Chairman of the North Sumatra Regional Board of PDI-P Rapidin Simbolon (right) during the PDI-P North Sumatra Campaign Coordination Meeting, in Medan, on Friday (August 26, 2022).

PDI Perjuangan is heating up the party machine to face the North Sumatra Governor Election. The party created by Megawati Soekarnoputri is ready to face President Joko Widodo's son-in-law, Bobby A Nasution. The names Nikson Nababan, Rapidin Simbolon, and Edy Rahmayadi emerged from the PDI- P

"Various possibilities could occur. But, even if Golkar nominates Bobby Nasution, we are ready to face it. PDI-P is a fighter," said North Sumatra PDI-P DPD Chairman Rapidin Simbolon when asked about the possibility of facing Bobby, Saturday (27/4/2024).

Based on the recapitulation of the vote count for the North Sumatra DPRD member election, PDI-P is estimated to get 21 seats out of a total of 100 seats. Obtaining above 20 percent gives PDI-P the golden ticket to nominate a candidate without having to form a coalition with other political parties.

Other political parties that can independently support candidate pairs are Golkar, which is estimated to get 22 seats. PDI-P and Golkar are the two strongest axes in the governor election in the province with the largest economy outside of Java.

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The Mayor of Medan who is also the son-in-law of President Joko Widodo, Bobby A Nasution, provided a statement regarding the North Sumatra Governor Election contest in Medan on Tuesday evening, April 23, 2024.

Even though they got the golden ticket, PDI-P will not easily face the North Sumatra gubernatorial election. The Golkar axis, which is supported by power from the center, will be PDI-P's strongest opponent.

"If we are attacked like in the legislative and presidential elections last year, we are ready. In fact, that is where we are tested on how to remain consistent in fighting for the progress of the country, especially in North Sumatra," said Rapidin.

Rapidi has already smelled the opposing party's steps in organizing their strength. On Tuesday (23/4/2024), the Secretary of the Medan City Government Wirya Alrahman, who is also close to Bobby, was appointed as Acting Regent of Deli Serdang.

Medan and Deli Serdang are the largest voting centers in North Sumatra. Although only two out of 33 districts/cities, the area covers 3.28 million registered voters or 30.26 percent of the total 10.85 million North Sumatra voter lists (DPT).

"If the Acting Regent of Deli Serdang and Medan is made like that, then that is how they will gain power. Not fair. "Not competing in a manly manner," said Rapidin.

However, Rapidin sees that Bobby will not easily get a nomination ticket from Golkar. Bobby had to face the Chairman of the North Sumatra Golkar Party DPD who is also the former Deputy Governor of North Sumatra Musa Rajekshah.

Also read: North Sumatra gubernatorial election warms up, Edy and Musa are ready to face each other

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Minister of coordinating Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (second from the right) and Vice Governor of North Sumatra Musa Rajekshah (right) monitored staple goods at Medan Central Market, North Sumatra, on Saturday (24/12/2022).

Whoever is supported by Golkar, Rapidin is optimistic that PDI-P can win the North Sumatra gubernatorial election. Even in the legislative election, PDI-P was attacked but still managed to become the winning party in the 2024 general election.

The political party is now opening registration for candidates for governor and deputy governor of North Sumatra. Former North Tapanuli Regent Nikson Nababan has taken the form and registered. Former North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi has also taken the form, but has not yet registered. PDI-P itself openly rejected Bobby.

The name Rapidin is gaining strength and being voiced by a number of cadres and officials of PDI-P. The former Regent of Samosir stated that he is still focused on taking care of PDI-P North Sumatra. He has also been elected as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the North Sumatra II Electoral District.

"Unless the party assigns it. "If the general chairman asks, I have to stand straight," said Rapidin.

Polemic within Golkar

The strongest axis that PDI-P will face is Golkar. The party with the symbol of the banyan tree has already started its fight by taking over the position of the Chairman of the North Sumatra Regional People's Representative Council, which was previously held by PDI-P.

The Democratic Party of Indonesia (DPP) Golkar is now revving up the party's engine by issuing assignment letters as candidate governors of North Sumatra to two people at once, namely Musa Rajekshah and Bobby.

The issuance of the assignment letter sparked controversy within Golkar Sumut's internal circle. Bobby, who is not a party cadre and a former member of PDI-P, was rejected by the Golkar Sumut management.

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Musa Rajekshah in Medan, North Sumatra, Thursday (31/1/2019).

Furthermore, Musa or also known as Ijek is considered successful in winning Golkar in North Sumatra, both for the national, provincial, and district/city legislative elections. Golkar's votes significantly increased. Ijek was also elected as a member of the Indonesian Parliament from North Sumatra I.

Secretary of the Golkar Party in North Sumatra, Ilhamsyah, stated that Golkar prioritizes nominating party members, not outsiders. As the party with the highest vote count in the North Sumatra Regional People's Representative Council, Ilhamsyah said that they are confident in nominating their own members.

"We are sure that Golkar will nominate Musa Rajekshah. Golkar is very open, anyone can register. "However, the most main thing is the cadres," said Ilhamsyah.

Regarding the polemic, Bobby has apologized to Ijek several times through statements in the mass media. Until Tuesday night (23/4/2024), according to Bobby, he has not been able to meet with Ijek because she is still in Jakarta.

"Yes, I saw yesterday (Musa) in Jakarta. "I ask for time (to meet)," said Bobby.

Another potential axis of power that may emerge is Gerindra, which is expected to win 13 seats in the North Sumatra DPRD. Gerindra will have to form a coalition to gain at least 20 percent support, or 20 seats. The party, which is led by President-elect Prabowo Subianto, can form a coalition with Nasdem, which won 12 seats, PKS with 10 seats, and PAN with six seats.

Whoever has a strong political network, large capital, popularity, will be promoted by the party.

Other parties include the Democratic Party and Hanura, each expected to receive five seats, while the PKB is expected to receive four seats, and PPP and Perindo each one seat respectively.

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The Governor of North Sumatra for the period of 2018-2023, Edy Rahmayadi, attended the handover ceremony of his position to the Acting Governor of North Sumatra, Hassanudin, in Medan on Tuesday (5/9/2023).

Secretary of the Gerindra Party in North Sumatra, Sugiat Santoso, said that they are open to all prospective gubernatorial candidates, except for former North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi. "The Gerindra Party does not include Mr. Edy's name in the candidate pool that we will support," he said.

The rejection of Gerindra is a repercussion of the heated contest in the 2024 presidential election. Edy is considered to have betrayed Prabowo by becoming the Regional Campaign Team Chairman for Anies-Muhaimin. However, in 2018, Gerindra was among the main parties that supported and won Edy as the Governor of North Sumatra.

Domination of the Jakarta elite

Lecturer at the Political Science Study Program at the University of North Sumatra, Warjio, said that the contestation pattern for the North Sumatra gubernatorial election was still the same as before.

"The selection of candidates in Jakarta is dominated by political party elites. The one who has a strong political network, a large amount of capital, and popularity will be supported by the party," he said.

Warjio mentioned that the party will also be very pragmatic. The polarization of the presidential coalition will also determine the coalition map. The political party's statement of rejection towards certain candidates is a result of the presidential election.