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Doors still open for other presidential candidates, PKS says

Jakarta Post - July 28, 2018

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Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The opposition coalition may not necessarily field Gerindra Party patron Prabowo Subianto in the upcoming presidential election, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) executive Salim Segaf al-Jufri has said.

While the PKS and Gerindra still back Prabowo's candidacy, Salim said on Friday that everything could change before the registration deadline for presidential and vice presidential candidates in next year's election.

When asked about whether or not Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan was considered a potential candidate, Salim said, "Everything is possible before Aug. 10 [deadline]."

Anies' name has been frequently mentioned as a potential figure to run against the camp of incumbent President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. Last year, Anies won the Jakarta gubernatorial election with the backing of Gerindra, the PKS and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

During a speech at the opening of an ulema gathering on Friday evening, Prabowo said that although he was ready to run for president, should there be a better candidate, he would throw his support behind the figure to comply with the interests of the people.

Gerindra recently expressed interest in forming a coalition with the Democratic Party, with Prabowo signaling that he was leaning toward choosing as his running mate Agus Harimurti, the son of Dems patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Salim said that the PKS had yet to discuss whether to select Agus as a vice presidential candidate as the party was focused on nine members from within. (ahw)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/07/28/doors-still-open-for-other-presidential-candidates-pks-says.html.